In this article, today's topic is psoriasis named from the Greek word “Psora” meaning “itch”. Psoriasis is a chronic non contagious disease, characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery white scabs of dead skin. At least four million Americans suffer with psoriasis, which is somewhat more frequent in women than in males.

Long-lasting autoimmune illness psoriasis is characterized by abnormal skin patches. These skin patches are typically red, dry, itchy, and scaly. On people with darker skin the patches may be purple in color. The extent of psoriasis can range from small, localized spots to total body coverage. Injury to the skin can trigger psoriatic skin changes at that spot, which is known as the Koebner phenomenon.

Although the disease can develop at any time, ten to fifteen percent of all cases are diagnosed in children under 10 and the average age at the onset of symptoms is 28. Psoriasis is more prevalent in fair-skinned people and highly uncommon in those with dark complexion.

Causes Of Psoriasis


Your immune system is meant to protect you when an “intruder”, like a cold virus, enters your body but sometimes the immune system mistakes your body's healthy cells for intruders and attacks them. While the precise aetiology of psoriasis is unknown, scientists think it is caused by a number of factors, including the immune system.

You have a hyperactive immune system if you have psoriasis. This leads to internal body inflammation, which is what causes the symptoms you notice on your skin. More healthy cells are produced than normal. Those excess cells get pushed to the surface of your skin too quickly. Normally, it takes about a month for your skin cells to cycle through your body. With psoriasis, it takes days. Your body simply can't shed skin cells that quickly, so the cells filled up on the surface of your skin. The thick red patches you see on your skin also called plaques are actually a buildup of excess skin cells.

Types Of Psoriasis


There are five main types of psoriasis which are as follows:

1)     Plaque

2)     Guttate

3)     Inverse

4)     Pustular

5)     Erythrodermic.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells. These Patches or planks most often show up on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back. They are often itchy and painful and they can crack and bleed.

Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, makes up about 90 percent of cases. It often appears as white scales on top of crimson areas. The backs of the forearms, shins, navel region, and scalp are the body parts most frequently impacted.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that appears as small dot-like lesions. Guttate psoriasis often starts in childhood, or young adulthood and can be triggered by a strep infection. This is the second most common type of psoriasis after plaque psoriasis. About 10% of people who get psoriasis develop guttate psoriasis.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis shows up as very red lesions in body folds such as behind the knee, under the arm, or in the groin. It might seem shiny and smooth.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular Psoriasis is characterized by white pustules or blisters of non-infectious pus surrounded by red skin. White blood cells can be found in pus. It is not an infection, nor is it contagious. pustular psoriasis can occur on any part of the body, but occurs most often on the hands or feet.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a particularly severe form of psoriasis that leads to widespread, fiery redness over most of the body. It can cause severe itching and pain, and make the skin come off in sheets. It is rare, occurring in three percent of people who have psoriasis during their lifetime.

Signs And Symptoms

Psoriasis signs and symptoms are different for everyone. Common signs and symptoms include red patches of skin covered with thick silvery scales, small scaling spots commonly seen in children, dry, cracked skin that may bleed, itching, burning, or soreness, thickened, pitted, or rigid nails, swollen and stiff joints.

Psoriasis Diagnosis

In most cases, a psoriasis diagnosis is rather straight forward. Your doctor will perform a physical examination of your skin, scalp and nails and also take your medical history if you have a family member with psoriasis. It’s important to share that with your doctor. In rare cases, a psoriasis diagnosis may require a biopsy or your doctor takes a small sample of skin to examine under a microscope. So, he or she can determine the exact type of psoriasis and rule out other disease possibilities.

Psoriasis Treatments


Treating your psoriasis is critical to good disease management and overall health. Work with your doctor to find a treatment that reduces or eliminates your symptoms. What works for one with psoriasis may not work for another.

Biologic Drugs

Biologic drugs or biologics are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that is not responded to other treatments. They are given by injection or intravenous or IV infusion.

Systemic Medication

Systemic medications are prescription drugs that are taken orally or by injection and work throughout the body.

Photo Therapy

photo therapy or light therapy involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis and under medical supervision. Treatments are done in a doctor's office, psoriasis clinic or at home with a photo therapy unit.

New Oral Treatment

New oral treatments improve symptoms of psoriatic disease by inhibiting specific molecules associated with inflammation. These treatments can be effectively delivered as tablets taken by mouth.

Topical Treatment

Topical treatments are applied to the skin and are usually the first treatment to try when diagnosed with psoriasis.