Psoriasis - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Around three percent of the world population is affected by the chronic skin disorder Psoriasis, which is triggered by an overactive immune system. Primarily affecting adults, the most common type of the condition is plaque psoriasis and is seen in people suffering from high blood sugar, heart disorders, and obesity.

The symptoms of the disease may vary from one individual to another, and the most common ones include red skin, scaling of the skin, and flakes coming out of areas such as knees, elbows, and scalp.

Understanding the condition
Psoriasis can be of various types, plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, and inverse psoriasis to mention a few. When the entire surface of the skin is affected by the condition, it is called erythrodermic psoriasis while palmoplantar psoriasis affects the palms and causes sores. Nail psoriasis causes yellow pitted nails which are often misdiagnosed with nail fungus.

In recent times, it has been found that people with psoriasis tend to have high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and different types of cardiovascular diseases. Around forty percent of the Psoriasis patients also experience symptoms of arthritis such as inflammation in the joints. In such cases, the disease is termed as psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis facts

• Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease.
• Psoriasis is related to inherited genes in some cases.
• The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis.
• Diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are common in people with psoriasis.
• Psoriasis is not contagious.
• Psoriasis can be initiated by certain environmental triggers.
• Psoriasis gets better and worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin).
• Psoriasis is controllable with medication.

Know the signs of psoriasis 

Patients suffering from psoriasis may experience symptoms such as 

• Itchy skin of knees, scalp, or whichever area is infected.
• White scales on the skin.
• In case the nails are affected, they will become discolored and separate easily from nail bed.
• In case of pustular psoriasis, the patient will have tint skin pustulates with cracked and scaly skin.
• Redness of skin.

What are the common types of psoriasis?

• Guttate Psoriasis - Commonly affects children and young adults, but the total rate is less than 2%. People affected by affected by it displays symptoms such as pink or red spots. It mostly affects the thighs, upper arms and scalp area.
• Inverse Psoriasis - This type of psoriasis showcases red but smooth and shiny scaleless skin. It mostly affects areas such as groin, armpits, skin folds and area under the breast. 
• Plaque Psoriasis - The most common type of psoriasis is the plague type and displays symptoms such as red skin with silvery and white scales. Lower back, elbows, knees, and scalp are some of the areas affected by it. 
• Erythrodermic Psoriasis - This is the least common type of psoriasis, however, is the most serious type. Severe itching of the skin along with peeling and burning sensation are some of the signs of this type of psoriasis
• Pustular Psoriasis - Again, a not so common type of psoriasis and mostly affects adults and is not infectious in nature. It can lead to a fast heartbeat, fever, chills, nausea along with muscle weakness. 

What can cause Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis cannot be pinpointed. Various elements ranging from genetic predisposition to environmental factors can be involved in causing the disease. It is found that psoriasis affects individuals of the same family even though it is not contagious.

Psoriasis may also be caused when immune system regulation becomes defective, where the white blood cells known as T cells start targeting the healthy cells instead of attacking unwanted foreign substances. Even though so many factors have come to the fore, the precise cause of psoriasis is still not known.

Treating Psoriasis
At times, it becomes difficult to differentiate between eczematous dermatitis from psoriasis. In such cases, a biopsy may be required for distinguishing between the two conditions.

Some effective treatment options are:

1. Topical treatments that include salicylic acid ointment, steroid-based creams, and use of ointments containing Vitamin D and Vitamin A.
2. Light therapy – Doctors may prescribe PUVA or PUVB which can help in treating Psoriasis. Also, the narrow-band UVB therapy is considered to be more effective.
3. Oral and injectable drugs – Several medications that include Methotrexate, oral retinoids, and biologics that control immune response of the body are used to treat Psoriasis when other treatments fail to improve the condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Although self-help measures won't cure psoriasis, they may help improve the appearance and feel of damaged skin. These measures may benefit you:

1. Take daily baths. 
2. Use moisturizer. 
3. Expose your skin to small amounts of sunlight. 
4. Avoid drinking alcohol.

Several treatments are available to manage the condition however, the disease is chronic, and the symptoms can be best managed with the assistance of a dermatologist. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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.

Does Pityriasis Amiantacea result in hair loss?
The answer is yes. As a result of the scaly crust, the encased hair tends to fall. This being said, it is entirely a reversible condition. The hair comes back in 9 out of 10 cases. Medical ointments and antibiotic shampoo can help to grow back the lost hair. Apart from this, home-made protein solutions can help in the regeneration of the hair and get back the original color of the hair.

Treatment options:
This is a treatable condition that might take some time for a complete cure. It involves the keratolytic and tropical anti-inflammatory treatment. This is accompanied with salicylic ointment and topical corticosteroids. A tropical mineral oil is often prescribed by doctors to ensure that the adherent scales are removed. Some doctors might also suggest a clobetasol propionate shampoo. Even ketoconazole and silver sulfadiazine is helpful to get rid of the scales. If in case the infection is accompanied with Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotics are prescribed to ensure that the condition does not turn from bad to worse. Systematic therapies are suggested if this condition is accompanied by an underlying condition such as psoriasis. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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.

In spite of several reminders about the ill-effects of smoking, you might still be an unperturbed chain smoker. Smoking is one vice that not only ruins the health of your heart, lungs and brain, but it also damages your skin. The changes smoking can bring about are usually gradual and hence we tend to overlook. A peek into the effects of smoking on your skin may curb your urge to smoke henceforth.

1. Smoking increases chances of a scaly skin: You may not be aware that puffing cigarettes can make you develop a serious skin condition. Scaly skin or Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder but the chances of contracting this disorder are increased with every pack of cigarettes you smoke. Psoriasis has severe impacts on the kind of life you live. It might lead to estrangement from friends and acquaintances, making you end up lonely and depressed. Studies reflect smoking a pack each day for twenty years at a stretch increases your risk of developing a scaly skin by sixty percent.
2. Smoking leads to irregular sleep patterns: It is frequently noticed that despite a full night's sleep, a person feels tired and overworked. The reason could be a lack of nicotine during your hours of sleep. This lack makes you uneasy in bed. Lack of sleep is always evident in the quantity and quality of work a person does.
3. Smokers can have bags under their eyes: Do you wonder why make- up tips fail in freshening up your appeal? It could be the result of your bad habit of smoking. Though dark circles and bags under eyes are not indicative of other essential problems, they do make you look exhausted and elderly. Instead of using cold compress to get rid of these bags, try quitting cigarettes.
4. Smoking can cause persistent scars and bruises: Smoking prevents or rather delays the process of healing. Researches show how nicotine leads to vasoconstriction. It constricts the small blood vessels in different parts of your body prohibiting blood flow to these parts. Scars and bruises take a longer time to heal because the oxygen in your blood doesn't reach them.
5. Smoking will make you lose your radiant skin: If you have a beautiful, glowing skin, prepare to bid farewell to that glow. An excess intake of nicotine deprives your skin of oxygen. Your skin looks dehydrated. Smoking also drains out important nutrients like vitamin C which is known for its effects against skin damage.

A healthy skin is the easiest key to the secret of looking pretty and confident. Quit smoking and experience the wonderful effects. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist.