What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a disease that is common in the society and progresses with exacerbations and improvements. It is usually seen as a sharply circumscribed rash with silver-colored flakes that gives the disease its name. It is common worldwide. It occurs in one or two out of every 100 people. It is equally common in men and women and usually begins between the ages of 15-30.
Why Does Psoriasis Occur?
The exact cause is unknown; immune system, genetic and environmental factors are thought to be effecting. Environmental factors that can initiate and exacerbate the disease are:
- Throat infections,
- Medications (cortisone, lithium, some hypertension medications, aspirin, etc.),
- Excessive alcohol intake,
- Cigarette,
- Sunburn, scratching, getting rubbed with a coarse bath-glove
- Stress.
What are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
Symptoms of the disease vary according to the clinical type.
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Psoriasis vulgaris
It is the most common psoriasis type (80%). Typical symptoms are oval or round, raised skin rashes covered with silvery flakes. It is frequently located on the knee, elbow, scalp and coccyx area. Sometimes, it can settle in folds such as armpits, groin, under the breasts, between the hips, behind the knees, inside of the elbows and neck. It can also be seen on the palms and soles of the feet.
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Guttate psoriasis
Small, round, pink-red colored, scurfy, raindrop-like bumps appear on the upper half of the body, arms and legs. It is common in children and adolescents. It usually follows a throat infection and regresses within a few weeks or months.
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Erythrodermic psoriasis
In this type pf psoriasis, the disease covers more than 90% of the body. The disease can become widespread under the influence of triggering factors such as drugs, sunlight, trauma and infection. Treatment should be carried out in an in-patient setting, preferably hospitals.
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Pustular psoriasis
Pus-filled white bumps, which called pustules are seen inside or near the red skin blotches. It typically occurs on psoriasis plaques or on firm-looking skin. It may be widespread throughout the body or may be located only on the palms and soles of the feet.
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Psoriatic arthritis
It occurs in 2 out of 10 patients and in their 40s. Finger and waist joints are most commonly involved. It causes symptoms such as morning stiffness or stiffness that develops from sitting and standing for a long time, swelling of the fingers or toes (“sausage finger/toe” appearance). Nail involvement is also common in joint involvement. It is often accompanied by skin manifestations of the disease.
Nail psoriasis
Nails are affected in about half of patients. Pinhead-sized pits on the nail surface, separation of the nail from its bed, yellowish discoloration under the nail (oil stain appearance), loss of a part of the nail, and thickening of the skin under the free part of the nail are common changes.
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis can be made by clinical findings. Rarely, a skin biopsy may be required.
How Is Psoriasis Treated?
There is no definitive treatment for the disease. However, during periods of illness, it can be kept under control with appropriate treatment and long-term well-being can be achieved. Physician, patient and patient relatives should cooperate in treatment. Drugs and behaviors that may exacerbate the disease (scratching, rubbing in the bathroom, scrubbing, etc.) should be avoided. Local treatments are primarily chosen in limited-involvement psoriasis (drugs that remove dandruff on the skin surface, drugs with cortisone, anthralin, calcipotriol, calcineurin inhibitors). Methotrexate, cyclosporine-A, acitretin and phototherapy are used in resistant, widespread disease. If there is no response to these, biological agents (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, ustekinumab, etc.) can be selected.
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
The disease is not contagious.
