Psoriasis and its Types

Psoriasis and its Types

What is psoriasis?

 

• Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin.
• The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the rapid proliferation of skin cells that is triggered by abnormal lymphocytes from the blood .
• Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.
• Some people have such mild psoriasis that they may not even suspect that they have a medical skin condition.
• Others have very severe psoriasis where virtually their entire body is fully covered with thick, red, scaly skin.
• Psoriasis is considered a non-curable, long-term (chronic) skin condition.
• It has a variable course, periodically improving and worsening. It is not unusual for psoriasis to spontaneously clear for years and stay in remission. Many people note a worsening of their symptoms in the colder winter months.

Types of Psoriasis

 

Plaque Psoriasis

• Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About eight in 10 people with psoriasis have this type. 
• It is also sometimes known as psoriasis vulgaris.
• Plaque psoriasis causes raised, inflamed, red skin covered by silvery white scales. These may also itch or burn.

 Plaque psoriasis can appear anywhere on your body but often appears in these areas:
·         Elbows
·         Knees
·         Scalp
·         Lower back
Rather than coming and going, plaque psoriasis may last for years.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis often starts suddenly in childhood or young adulthood. It occurs is less than 2% of cases. This type causes small, pink-red spots on the skin. Usually less thick than plaque lesions, they often appear in these areas:

·         Trunk
·         Upper arms
·         Thighs
·         Scalp
These things may trigger guttate psoriasis:
·         An upper respiratory infection such as strep throat or tonsillitis
·         Stress
·         Skin injury

·         Certain drugs such as beta-blockers

This type of psoriasis may go away within a few weeks, even without treatment. However, some cases are more stubborn and require treatment.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis appears as bright-red, smooth, shiny lesions. These don't have scales. Inverse psoriasis usually appears in these areas:
·         In the armpits
·         In the groin
·         Under the breasts
·         In skin folds around the genitals or buttocks
Because of its location, inverse psoriasis may worsen from sweating and rubbing. For this reason, it can be hard on overweight people or those with deep skin folds. An overgrowth of yeast may trigger this type of psoriasis.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is uncommon and mostly appears in adults. Pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled bumps (pustules) surrounded by red skin. These may look infectious, but they are not. Reddening can appear first, followed by scaling and the formation of the pus-filled bumps.

This type of psoriasis may show up in one area of the body such as the hands and feet. Or it may cover most of the body (generalized). Pustular psoriasis can be very serious, so immediate medical attention is needed. Generalized pustular psoriasis can cause:

·         Fever
·         Chills
·         Nausea
·         Fast heart rate
·         Muscle weakness
These things may trigger pustular psoriasis:
·         Topical or systemic medications, especially steroids
·         Sudden withdrawal of systemic medications or strong topical steroids
·         Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
·         Pregnancy
·         Infection
·         Stress
·         Exposure to certain chemicals

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis is the least common, but it’s very serious. Eyrthrodermic psoriasis affects most of the body and causes widespread, fiery skin redness that may appear burned. In addition, you may have:

·         Severe itching, burning, or peeling
·         An increase in heart rate
·         Changing body temperature
If you have these symptoms, see the doctor right away. You may need to be hospitalized. This type of psoriasis can cause severe illness from protein and fluid loss. You may also develop an infection, pneumonia, or congestive heart failure.
These things may trigger erythrodermic psoriasis:
·         Sudden withdrawal from a systemic psoriasis treatment
·         An allergic drug reaction
·         Severe sunburn
·         Infection
·         Medications such as lithium, anti-malarial drugs, cortisone, or strong coal tar products
Erythrodermic psoriasis may also occur if you have a long period where it is hard to control your psoriasis.

Nail Psoriasis

Up to half those with psoriasis have nail changes. This is even more common in those who have a type of psoriasis that affects the joints (psoriatic arthritis).

These are common symptoms of nail psoriasis:

·         Shallow or deep holes
·         Changes in nail shape
·         Thickening
·         Separation of the nail from the bed
·         Unusual color
With nail psoriasis, you are more likely to also have a fungal infection.

Nails are a more difficult area to treat because the medication doesn't easily penetrate the nail bed. It helps to keep nails trimmed as short as possible.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This is a condition where you have both psoriasis and arthritis (joint inflammation). In 70% of cases, people have psoriasis for about 10 years before developing psoriatic arthritis. About 90% of people with psoriatic arthritis will also have nail changes related to psoriasis.

The most common joint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are:
·         Painful and stiff joints that are worse in the morning and after rest
·         Sausage like swelling of the fingers and toes
·         Warm joints that may be discolored