Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a long term (Chronic) Skin Problem That Causes skin Cells to Grow Too Quickly.

Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks, but in psoriasis new skin cells move more rapidly to the surface of the skin days, sometimes in 4 days.

How does psoriasis affect us?

Our skin plays a very important role in defining who we are. People with psoriasis may perceived to be ‘different’ by other people, just because of the appearance of their skin. This can result in a person with psoriasis feeling anger or sadness about their condition, which in turn can affect self-esteem, relationships and even careers.

Management

Although there is no cure, most cases of psoriasis can be managed effectively, Psoriasis tends to be sporadic, and treatment responses vary between patients, and over time.

The main aims of treatment are to minimize the severity of symptoms and reduce the impact of psoriasis on the patient's quality of life.

Who may be affected by psoriasis?

In some cases, psoriasis runs in families. Experts believe that psoriasis may be triggered by injury, infection, certain types of drugs and stress (Including both physical and emotional stress).

Psoriasis most often appear on the knees, elbows and scalp, but can affect any area of the skin including the nails.

AROUND 5 - 7% OF PEOPLE WITH PSORIASIS DEVELOP PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY WHICH EFFECTS THE INTER - PHALANGEAL JOINTS.

Types of psoriasis

There are several subtypes of Psoriasis.

• Plaque -type psoriasis, the commonest form, presents as red, thick lesions covered in a silver scale.
• Guttate psoriasis presents as numerous, small oval shape lesions. These emerge, usually on the trunk, after acute respiratory tract infections. It often affects children and younger people.
• Localized pustular psoriasis presents as either discrete papules or plaques that express pustules on their surface. In many cases it emerges on the palms or soles, a condition called palmoplantar pustular psoriasis.
• Generalized pustular psoriasis affects a larger area, sometimes even involving the entire body.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis causes patients to have severe, generalized erythema and scaling that can involve the whole body.
• Scalp psoriasis usually presents as thick, patchy scales and redness on the scalp. Patients may complain of sever itching and tightness of the scalp.
• Flexural psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other skin folds.

Topical treatments

• Emmolients
• Coal tar -based products
• Dithranol
• Vitamin D analogues
• Keratolytics
• Topical retinoids
• Topical corticosteroids

Other treatments

• Light Therapy
• Oral Therapy
• Biologics

What's new in psoriasis?

• There are studies that show an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with Psoriasis.
• What this means is that patients have an increased risk of high cholesterol and heart attacks.