What is Plaque Psoriasis?
This is a fairly common disease of the skin that influences the lifecycle of the cells of the skin. This disease causes the cells to increase very quickly on the skin surface, causing silvery thick scales as well as itchy, red, dry patches of plaque which are at some times painful.
This medical condition is a long-lasting chronic disease. The individual can have times when the psoriasis symptoms get better or actually go into total remission which alternate with times when the psoriasis worsens.
Plaque Psoriasis Symptoms
Psoriasis signs and symptoms may vary from individual to individual but can contain one or several of the below:
- Burning, itching or soreness
- Patches of red skin covered with scales which are silvery
- Small scaly spots – usually seen in children
- Cracked, dry skin which can bleed
- Swollen as well as stiff joints
- Pitted, ridged and thickening nails
Most of the forms of psoriasis have cycles, flaring up for several weeks or even months, then getting better for a while or going into total remission. In the majority of cases, the disease ultimately will return.
There are numerous forms of psoriasis including:
Plaque Psoriasis
This is the most frequent type and causes raised, red, dry skin lesions or plaques covered over with scales which are silvery. The plaques may be itchy, painful as well as can happen anyplace on the body, including the genitals as well as the soft mouth tissues.
Nail psoriasis
This affects toenails as well as fingernails, causing abnormal growth of the nail, with pitting, and discoloration. Nails can become loose and in some cases come apart from the bed of the nail.
Scalp psoriasis
Develops in the scalp and appears as itchy, red areas with scales which are silvery-white.
Inverse psoriasis
Normally affects skin in the groin, armpits, around the genitals, under breasts and causes patches which are smooth and have inflamed red skin. It is most common in individuals who are overweight and is made worse by sweating as well as friction.
Guttate psoriasis
Normally affects those individuals less than 30 years of age as well as is normally activated by an infection for instance strep throat. It is marked by “water-drop-shaped”, small sores on the trunk, legs, scalp and arms. The sores are covered over with a fine scale and are not as bulky as normal plaque is. You can have a solo outbreak which clears up without treatment or you can have episodes which are repetitive.
Pustular psoriasis
Uncommon type of psoriasis which may occur in patches which are widespread or in small spots on the fingertips, hands, and feet. It normally builds up rapidly, with blisters which are pus-filled emerging in a matter of hours after the skin becomes tender as well as red. The blisters will dry up in a couple of days but can re-emerge in a few days or weeks. General pustular psoriasis may also cause severe itching, chills, fatigue as well as fever.
Erythrodernic psoriasis
The very least common form of psoriasis, this can cover the complete body amid a peeling, red rash which can burn or itch intensely.
Psoriatic arthritis
Additional to scaly, inflamed skin, this type of psoriasis causes discolored, pitted nails as well as swollen and painful joints which are characteristic of arthritis.
Plaque Psoriasis Causes
The causes of psoriasis are associated to the system of immunity. To be more specific, a kind of white blood cell known as T cell. Usually T cells go thru the body to find and battle foreign matter, such as bacteria or viruses. But with psoriasis, the T cells attack by error the skin which is healthy.
T cells which are overactive can activate additional immune response including a boost in other white blood cells which enter the epidermis as well as causes dilation of blood vessels. These changes cause an enhanced creation of both well skin cells as well as T cells and other white blood cells. This causes a continuing cycle with fresh skin cells moving to the top most covering of skin too fast – in days instead of weeks. White blood cells and skin that is dead can not slough off rapidly enough and therefore build up as scaly, thick areas on the surface of the skin. This normally does not stop unless the cycle is interrupted by treatment.
Just why T cells malfunction in individuals with psoriasis is not completely clear, although scientists believe environmental and genetic features both take part in.
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Psoriasis normally begins or get worse because of an activator which the patient can perhaps id and avoid. Features which can activate psoriasis include:
- Damage to the skin for instance a scrape or a cut, bug bite, or a severe sunburn
- Infections such as thrush or strep throat
- Stress
- Smoking
- Cold weather
- Alcohol consumption which is heavy
- Some drugs – including lithium which is used for bipolar disorder; medications for high blood pressure such as beta blockers; iodides; and antimalarial drugs.
Any person can develop psoriasis, but there are factors which increase the odds of developing this disease. They include:
Family history
The most significant risk factor is a family history of this disease. Almost 1 in 3 individuals with psoriasis usually have a close relative who has the same condition.
Other medical problems
Individuals with HIV are more likely to have psoriasis than those with healthy systems of immunities. Young adults as well as children with infections which are recurring, especially strep throat, can also be at increased risk.
Stress
Stress can impact the immune system, and high stress levels can increase the risk of psoriasis.
Obesity
Excess weight can increase the risk of inverse psoriasis. Additionally, plaques associated with all form of psoriasis often occur in folds or skin creases.
Smoking
Tobacco smoking not only increases risk of psoriasis but may increase the disease’s severity. Smoking can as well play a role in the initial beginning of the disease.
Depending on the location as well as type of psoriasis and how widespread is the disease, psoriasis can develop complications. These can include:
- Fluid and electrolyte imbalance in cases of severe pustular psoriasis
- Thickened skin and bacterial skin infections developed because of scratching to relieve severe itching
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Stress
- Social isolation
- Anxiety
Plaque Psoriasis Treatment
The aim of the treatments of psoriasis:
- Interrupt the cycle which reduces the inflammation and plaque formation
- Remove the scales and smooth skin using topical treatments
Psoriasis treatments are divided into 3 main types:
- Light therapy
- Oral medication
- Topical treatments
Topical treatments
Creams and ointments which are used alone can treat mild to modest psoriasis. If the disease is worse, creams are normally joined with oral medications or light therapy. These topical treatments can include:
- Vitamin D analogues
- Topical corticosteroids
- Anthralin
- Topical retinoids
- Salicylic acid
- Calcineurin inhibitors
- Moisturizers
- Coal tar
Light therapy or phototherapy
This treatment uses artificial ultraviolet or natural light. The easiest and simplest form of phototherapy involves the exposing of the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight.
- Sunlight
- Narrowband UVB therapy
- UVB phototherapy
- Ecimer laser
- Photochemortherapy or psoralen plus ultraviolet A or PUVA
- Combination light therapy
Injected or oral medications
This is normally for severe psoriasis or psoriasis which is resistant to other types of treatment. There are some side effects so these medications are used only for brief periods of time.
- Retinoids
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Hydroxyurea
- Immunodulator drugs (biologics)
Although physicians choose treatments which are based on severity as well as type of the disease as well as the areas of affected skin, the customary approach is to begin with the mildest methods of treatments – ultraviolet light therapy and topical creams – and then move to stronger treatments as needed. The aim is to determine the most positive method to use in slowing the turnover of cells with the fewest side effects.
Plaque Psoriasis Pictures
