Psoriasis - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

It’s needless to say, that your skin is the first line of defense against all natural elements like the wind, sun and the cold. But when you have dry skin, it’s a real uncomfortable condition and it can happen for a plethora of reasons.
Dry skin, which is medically known as xerosis, can develop on any part of your body. However, dry skin generally affects the legs, hands and arms. Although dry skin depends a lot on your health, age, the hobbies that you indulge in and the time you spend outdoors, here are some of the most pertinent causes and symptoms of dry skin.

Causes for developing dry skin:

1. Weather: You may have also noticed that the skin tends to get the driest during the winter, when humidity and temperature plummet down. But the season may not matter if you are living in an arid zone.
2. Hot bath and shower: Taking prolonged hot bath and showers can dry up your skin. So does swimming, especially if you are doing it in heavily chlorinated water.
3. Heat: Staying in close proximity to wood-burning stoves, central heating, space heaters and fireplaces, all diminish humidity and dry up your skin.
4. Harsh detergents and soaps: Maximum soaps, shampoos and detergents are formulated to remove oil. Thus, applying too much of any of these could end up giving you dry skin.
5. Other conditions: People who suffer from ailments such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis can also be prone to dry skin.

Mostly, dry skin could be a temporary affair as it tends to happen primarily during the winters. However, it could also be a lifelong menace to some. However, dry skin symptoms are:

1. Gray and ashy skin
2. Redness on the skin
3. Deep cracks in the skin that bleed
4. Rough skin

A feeling of tightness on the skin, especially after bathing, showering or after a swim. In most of the cases, you can find many a home remedy for curing dry skin; however it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor.

Psoriasis, in general, is a persistent autoimmune condition that causes the speedy development of skin cell. This increase in the number of cells causes unhealthy scales on the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis
Symptoms to watch out for are the nails cracking right from the nail bed. This, in medicinal term, is known as onycholysis and it creates space that can get contaminated by germs. Soreness or a sponge like feeling beneath the nails, pitting, warping and hardening of the nails, discoloration, painful chalk like build up beneath the cuticles which causes the nail to move upwards, are common symptoms as well. This is known as subungual hyperkeratosis. As a rule, almost everybody who is affected by general psoriasis, suffer from nail psoriasis.

Sometimes nail psoriasis may be accompanied by fungal infections. A parting amid the nail and nail bed is the perfect environment for the fungi to grow. If the symptoms you are experiencing are extremely moderate, treatment may not be required. If the discoloration, nail hardening or chipping of the nails is severe, it is probably a good time to make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Pityriasis amiantacea is a disorder of the scalp. Some of the visible signs of this condition include adherent, silver, thick scales. The scales resemble the color of the asbestos and often surrounds the tufts of hair. While the condition is manageable, care should be taken to manage this condition right from its inception. Here is a brief overview of this scalp condition.

Origin of Pityriasis Amiantacea:
Pityriasis Amiantacea is inflammatory in nature. It comes from the seborrheic and psoriasis dermatitis spectrum. Experts are of the view that this condition is a result of the exaggerated response of the body to a primary condition of the scalp. Earlier studies have suggested that there is a possibility that Pityriasis Amiantacea may have originated from lichen planus, pyogenic infection and superficial fungal. In most of the cases, it has been witnessed that fungus has a close relation to this condition.

Exposure of Pityriasis Amiantacea and its diagnosis:
This condition has low exposure among females. It is mostly observed among, young adults, children, and adolescents. The diagnosis is done clinically. A specialist might prescribe dermoscopy to rule out other conditions of the scalp. If the result is positive, the scaling will reveal a diffused yellowish or whitish pattern. While the condition is local, it has all the possibilities to spread to other hairy parts of the body. Some experts are of the view that Pityriasis Amiantacea has a close association with temporary alopecia. While histopathology is not prescribed by most doctors, however, biopsy of the scalp is suggested in many cases.

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder of the skin that results in the formation of thickened and elevated plaques of cells that remain covered by scales (loose, whitish-silver scales). In psoriasis, the skin cells multiply at an alarming rate resulting in the scaling of the skin. Though non-contagious, psoriasis can be itchy and often painful. Psoriasis mainly affects the scalp, elbow, and knees. In some, the condition may also affect the palms, feet (soles of the feet), and the torso.

As per a survey, psoriasis is known to affect approximately 2.2% of the total adult population. Psoriasis can also affect children (children under the age group of 5-8 years are mostly affected by this inflammatory skin disorder).

Psoriasis Can of Different Types

1. Plaque Psoriasis: As the name suggests, this type of psoriasis results in the formation of plaques of cells (thickened and elevated) on the skin surface. One of the most common types of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis affects the scalp, knees, and elbow.
2. Pustular Psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis mainly affects the hands and the feet of the adults whereby white blisters (pus-filled) appear on the affected area of the skin. The skin also appears red and inflamed.
3. Guttate Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis usually affects the legs, torso, and arms. Common in children (sometimes young adults), Guttate psoriasis results in the formation of small red spots.
4. Inverse Psoriasis: In Inverse psoriasis, shiny red (bright red) inflammations or lesions appear on the armpits, groyne, breasts.
5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Though rare, this type of psoriasis is marked by extreme redness of the skin. There is also shedding of the scales (in the form of sheets). The skin more or less appears sun burnt.

Symptoms:
The symptoms associated with psoriasis include

1. Elevated and inflamed red patches covered by whitish- silver scales (plaques).
2. The nails appear thick and pitted.
3. There is a pain in the joints followed by swelling.
4. At times, the affected skin may crack resulting in bleeding.
5. Soreness, itching and a burning sensation around the red patches.

In psoriasis of the scalp,

• There may be the formation of scales (usually mild).
• In severe cases, there may be crusting (the full scalp) which can spread to the forehead, ears (inside and behind), in the beard or even around the nose.

Treatment:
Though there is no definite treatment for psoriasis of the body and the scalp, the following medications may prove to be helpful

• Medications like Methotrexate and Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant drugs), Retinoids, and Biologics (injected intravenously) may provide some relief.
• Patients may also benefit from light therapy, anthralin, topical corticosteroids as well as vitamin D analogs.

Precaution and care
For psoriasis of the scalp

• Before the treatment, it is important to remove (and soften) the scales. Medicated shampoos that contain salicylic acid can be used to remove the scales.
• Use of petroleum jelly or medicated oils and ointments (as recommended by the doctor) can be helpful.
• For better results, you can keep the scalp covered (preferably with a shower cap) after applying the ointment.

For Psoriasis of the Body

• Avoid the skin from getting dry. You can use a medicated lotion or a moisturizer.
• Drinking and smoking can worsen the situation. Avoid these vices as much as you can.
• Avoid using hot water while bathing. To keep your skin moisturised, you can add oil or salt to the water (bathwater).

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Fungal skin diseases are brought about by various sorts of fungi and are the main reasons behind an irritated skin. Fungi attack and develop in dead keratin, a protein that makes up your skin, hair and nails. The various sorts of fungal diseases are caused by various groups of fungi. Some common fungal skin infections include ringworm, intertrigo, nail infections, Athlete’s foot, etc.

The likelihood of fungal infections increase in the following cases:

1. If you are overweight
2. Not drying your skin completely after a shower or wash
3. Walking barefoot in shower and wet locations
4. In case of a pregnancy
5. If you have a weak immune system
6. If you suffer from diabetes
7. If you come into contact with a person or animal with fungal infections.
8. Due to a recent course of antibiotics

Fungal rashes can at times be mistaken for other skin conditions, for example, psoriasis and eczema. Fungal skin diseases can bring about a number of skin rashes; some of them being red, textured and itchy. The organism can influence only one region, or a few zones of your body. In the event that you get a fungal disease of your scalp, you might lose some hair. There are steps which can be performed in order to protect yourself from getting a parasitic skin contamination:

1. Dry your skin properly after a shower
2. Try not to share hairbrushes, towels or combs since they might be carrying fungi
3. In case a family member has been infected with scalp ringworm, hats, pillows, combs or scissors should be soaked using water and bleach
4. Allow your shoes sufficient time to dry out by alternating them every two or three days
5. In order to keep moisture away from the skin, wear loose clothes that are made of cotton or other breathable materials.
6. Socks, bed linen and clothes should be washed regularly to prevent the growth of any fungi
7. In communal and wet areas like saunas, swimming pools, showers, etc., wear clean plastic shoes or flip-flops.
8. If you have diabetes, try to keep your blood sugar under control 

   If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist.