Psoriasis


Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition marked by raised, scaly skin patches called plaques. Itching, burning, or stinging sensation usually accompany these plaques.

Psoriasis occurs in cycles, with each flare lasting weeks or months.

How is it Pronounced?

sor-EYE-a-sus.

Psoriasis Symptoms

The symptoms of psoriasis are:

  • Plaques, or raised skin patches with 1/4-in to several inches in diameter
  • Deep pink or red in color
  • Silvery, yellow-white scales
  • Heavy white scaling or pits and thickening under the nails

Plaques can occur at:

  • Scalp
  • Elbow
  • Knees
  • Navel
  • Genitalia
  • Lower back
  • Buttock (or buttock fold)

Psoriasis patches of the elbow and forearm.
Psoriasis of the elbow and forearm.

Psoriatic dermatitis
Psoriatic dermatitis patches on the forearm.

Most people with psoriasis only get a few plaques on the elbows or knees. However, in rare, serious cases, the plaques and pimple-like pustules can cover the entire body.

Psoriasis patches in the abdomen
Psoriasis found in the abdomen.

In about 5% of the patients, in a condition called arthritic psoriasis, arthritis will develop in the joints after the plaque formation.

Who Gets Psoriasis and How Common is it?

Psoriasis occurs most often in adolescents and young adults - however, it can occur at any age. It is thought to be an inherited condition - if either parent has it, then it is likely that the children would have it as well.

It is a very common condition - it is estimated that over 6.4 million people in the United States have psoriasis.

Psoriasis Causes

The exact cause of psoriasis is not known. Flares can be trigerred by infection, stress, changes in temperature or climate, skin injury, and alcohol intake. It can also be trigerred by prescribed medicines, such as lithium and anti-malarial drugs.

Skin cell growth is thought to be linked to the cause of psoriasis:

  Normal Skin Psoriasis
Cell Density (cells / square centimeter)
27,000
52,000
New skin cell production (cells / square centimeter / day)
1,250
35,000
Cell cycle of the skin cell (hours)
311
36

In summary, in psoriatic skin, skin cells reproduce about 10x faster and exist in a far higher density than in normal skin. This results in skin thickening and plaque formation associated with psoriasis.

Psoriasis Prevention

Psoriasis can be prevented by:

  • Avoiding skin injury
    Plaques can form following cuts and scratches on the skin.

  • Treating infection as early as possible

  • Getting enough (but not too much) sunlight

  • Avoiding alcohol intake

Treatments of Psoriasis

Psoriasis treatments include:

  • Prescribed topical creams or gels (corticosteroids, vitamin D-, and vitamin A-derivatives)

  • Light treatment or phototherapy
    In this treatment, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Sometimes, a medication called psoralen that sensitizes the skin to uv light is prescribed. This treatment, called PUVA (for psoralen Ultraviolet A), is given several times a week at the doctor's office.

  • Oral medications (methotrexate and etretinate, which inhibit skin cell growth and inflammation)

There is no cure for psoriasis. However, the treatment above can help clear up the plaques and alleviate the symptoms of this condition.




See also:
Psoriasis Research Summaries

Psoriasis Pictures
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Psoriasis Overview
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