Psoriasis is a skin disorder that appears as a rash. It often causes itchiness and rough-textured skin in the rash area. Psoriasis most often affects the scalp, knees, torso, and elbows. It is a long-term condition that cannot be cured. When it flares up, it can cause pain, making it difficult for people with psoriasis to perform activities of daily living or get comfortable sleeping.
Most people experience psoriasis in a cyclical nature, with flare-ups every few weeks to months. Some things can commonly trigger psoriasis, including being burned, cut, having an infection, or specific medications.
Common symptoms of psoriasis include:
There are different types of psoriasis, and each has its own symptoms:
If you have a severe rash, a rash spread over the body, or a rash that causes pain to the point you cannot do the activities of daily life, seek medical attention.
What causes psoriasis is not clearly understood. Researchers believe that psoriasis is an issue with the immune system that causes it to attack healthy skin cells. It may be a result of environmental factors and genetics. It is not contagious.
If you have psoriasis, you may not experience any symptoms until exposed to something that triggers the disease. These triggers can include infections, exposure to cold weather, smoking, skin injuries, specific medications, higher-than-normal alcohol usage, or withdrawal after using steroids for a long time.
Family history of psoriasis and smoking are considered risk factors for developing psoriasis.
If your healthcare provider suspects you have psoriasis, they will do a thorough physical exam and ask about any ongoing symptoms. They’ll check areas like your legs, arms, scalp, and nails for any physically obvious symptoms. They may take a sample of your skin to send for testing. This can help determine what type of psoriasis you have.
Complications of psoriasis include arthritis, changes in the colour of the skin, eye issues, obesity, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, developing other immune conditions like celiac disease, and low self-esteem.
Treatment for psoriasis aims to manage your symptoms and prevent new skin from growing quickly. There are a few treatment options. Which one you and your doctor choose depends on the severity of your psoriasis.
Topical corticosteroids are most frequently used to handle psoriasis. They’re good for sensitive areas like the face and skin under the buttocks and breasts. Topical steroids can be helpful for symptom flare-ups. Your provider may suggest a stronger cream for areas that are more resistant to treatment. It is possible to develop resistance to this type of medication over time.
Synthetic forms of Vitamin D, retinoids, salicylic acid shampoo, coal tar, anthralin, and calcineurin inhibitors are also recommended for treating psoriasis. They are often combined with steroid creams to slow cell growth.
Light exposure therapy is also recommended for mild cases of psoriasis. On the other hand, injectable and oral versions of corticosteroids, retinoids, and other medications that slow skin cell growth are recommended for severe cases of psoriasis or if you are not responding to your current treatment.