To prevent or control psoriasis, it is most important to know all about psoriasis disease as it can make life discomforting and painful for a long time.
This is basically a skin condition that occurs due to an irregular immune system. It is a chronic, autoimmune condition that induces inflammatory rashes and scaly skin, there is a rapid cell build-up that appears scaly and thick. It can vary in size, sensitivity, pain, location, appearance, etc. Psoriasis causes pain around inflammatory skin and can be cyclic as it may flare up for a few days or subside in the next.
Psoriasis develops due to an unhealthy speed-up in skin cell production, whereas typical skin cell growth takes much longer. This overproduction can occur all over the body or in a particular area. These scaly cell patches typically appear on hands, feet, neck, and face. Psoriasis on scalp is the most commonly seen skin disorder which may be reddish for fair-skinned people and grey or purple for dark-skinned people.
Types of Psoriasis
There are different types of psoriasis and each gets varied in its causes, symptoms, areas, and appearance.
1. Plaque Psoriasis
About 80% to 90% of affected people suffer from plaque psoriasis. It is the most common psoriasis around that forms dry, scaly, itchy skin patches covering the skin. The colour of the patches varies according to the skin colour. It triggers red bumpy skin lesions covered with white scales, and brown or black skin-coloured populations may have slightly different lesion colours. They appear mostly on elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.
2. Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis means the skin conditions around the folded areas, under the breasts, armpits, groin, buttocks, and other creased skin parts. There are no scaly lesions, but shiny, red inflammation appears. It gets mainly triggered by fungal infections and distressed more by the frictional skin and sweating. Overweight people may have higher chances of contracting inverse psoriasis.
3. Guttate Psoriasis
This condition generally forms in children rather than adults. Guttate psoriasis causes drop-like spots of pink or violet colour and may get scalier around the trunk, arms and legs. It is mainly triggered by bacterial infections like tonsillitis, upper respiratory infections, streptococcal infections, stress and injuries. This condition may not require much treatment, but it can recur as plaque psoriasis.
4. Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a rare condition that generally occurs in adults. The rashes are white blisters filled with liquid pus surrounded by inflamed skin. It can widely spread around the body or form small patches on palms and soles.
5. Nail Psoriasis
Psoriasis on the nails can form a pit in the middle, abnormal nail growth, or discolouration. Nails can break off or separate completely during this condition. Nails become evidently weaker and can crumble as well.
6. Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest and most severe form of psoriasis, which forms inflammation covering large sections of the body at once. They are similar to sunburns that contain peeled-off layers of dead tissues that are painful, burning and itchy. Other symptoms may also occur with feeling unwell, high fever, pain, etc. It can be a chronic or acute condition, but it surely can be life-threatening.
Psoriasis Causes
As an autoimmune condition that is non-contagious. Even though the main reasons for psoriasis are still unclear, the two main factors triggering this condition are:
1. Genetics
When the genes lead the immune system to attack healthy cells, white blood cells are triggered to fight and heal wounds. It also produces chemicals that encourage inflammatory response. So people with family genes of this skin condition may have a higher chance of contracting it.
2. Immune System
When the immune system deploys white blood cells to attack bacteria during infections, but mistakenly it targets the healthy skin cells. This process causes unnecessary overproduction of cells that most commonly result in plaque psoriasis.
3. Other Common Triggers
Other external triggers can also develop psoriasis. These can also be different for various people, as each individual has a unique immune system. which works distinctively.
- Infections
- Environmental conditions, mostly dry places.
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking can trigger higher severity
- Injury to the skin cells like bug bites, scrape cuts, bruises, or abrasions.
- Certain medication
- Sudden withdrawal of corticosteroids through oral or injection.
- Stress and anxiety issues
Psoriasis Symptoms
The psoriasis symptoms and signs differ in every person and its type. Other factors like size, area, and appearance also change from person to person as this condition changes over time, the symptoms and intensity change as well.
Though psoriasis is challenging to predict, there are a few common symptoms that follow-
- Reddish patches of inflamed skin rash
- Rashes that vary in colour for different skin tones
- Whitish-grey scales over the patchy bumps
- Dry skin with cracks
- itching and burning around inflammations
- Soreness in the infected area
- Pitted and weekend nails
- Joints and muscle pain
- Feverish feeling
Psoriasis appears mainly around the elbows, neck, hands, knees, and feet. It can be mild and unnoticeable for a long time until it becomes severely painful.
Treatment
Treatment for psoriasis gets prepared mostly on the type of psoriasis, which can be different for everyone. The main focus of these treatments is reducing inflammation, lowering unwanted cell formation, and removing plaques, blisters, pain, sensitivity, etc.
Many tropical, oral, injected medications can work for psoriasis patients. Some over-the-counter medications and remedies are-
- Coal tar soothes the infected areas and diminishes the itching and lesions on the skin.
- Hydrocortisone creams help to reduce inflammation.
- Salicylic acid works well for psoriasis on scalp as it helps in removing scales and swellings on the skin.
- Anti-itching creams containing calamine, camphor, and menthol also help manage redness, pain, itch, plaque, etc.
- Corticosteroids relieve psoriasis symptoms.
- Topical retinoids, vitamin D analogues, and anthralin are also helpful treatments.
Ointments, creams, and essential oils applied to the infected area can provide much relief. It reduces the itching and subsides the irritating skin lesions.
There are some systemic therapies that can have positive effects on psoriasis. Phototherapy is where the affected skin area gets exposed to certain types of light under supervision. It slows down cell growth, irritation, and the immune system.
Complications
Psoriasis is hard to diagnose which makes things much more difficult. Psoriatic patients are at higher risk of developing other health conditions like –
- Psoriatic arthritis affects joints and muscles.
- Skin issues around the infected area
- Eye conditions
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Other autoimmune conditions
- Mental health issues
Dietaries About Psoriasis Disease
Even though there is no direct relation between food and psoriasis disease, some restrictions can help reduce inflammatory responses and keep the body healthy to fight against these conditions.
Patients suffering from psoriasis need to change their diet plans as it can further damage their health conditions. With other treatments and medications, it is beneficial to eat proper food items that can strengthen the immune system or have fewer effects of inflammation.
Psoriatic patients should definitely have these food items included in their diet-
- Plant-based proteins
- Lean proteins like fish.
- Lentils
- Fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil
- Whole grain
There are some food habits that increase the severity of psoriasis. They are –
- Dairy
- Carbohydrates
- Saturated fats and trans fats
- High sugar intake
- Gluten items
- Alcoholic drinks
Conclusion
Psoriasis means the overload of skin cells in a particular area due to unknown causes. There are many ways to trigger psoriasis symptoms, which can easily lead to other health problems. Without any proper cure to treat, this condition may be difficult to suppress, but few precautions can help prevent it.
Similar to other conditions, eating a balanced diet and maintaining proper weight with exercise can make a big difference.
Even though psoriasis can develop at any age, men and women, both can equally get affected. Family genetics also play a key role in psoriasis development. Skin cells can multiply up to 10 times faster due to the immune system, genetics, and environmental changes.
Over-the-counter treatment for mild psoriasis can provide soothing but if it becomes severe, consulting specialists is a better choice.
