Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells.
It is characterized by inflamed, red, raised areas that often develop into silvery scales on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Psoriasis can also be associated with arthritis. The life cycle of skin cells greatly accelerates in psoriasis, leading to a buildup of dead cells on the surface of the epidermis.
The symptoms of psoriasis can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms of psoriasis include dry, thick, and raised patches on the skin covered with a silvery-white coating called scale, itching, soreness, cracked, dry skin, skin pain, and joint pain.
Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem that causes skin cells to grow faster than normal. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by abnormally fast-growing and shedding skin cells.
Specific symptoms of psoriasis
- Plaque psoriasis: This is the most common type of psoriasis, affecting up to 80% of people with psoriasis. It causes dry, itchy, raised skin patches (plaques) covered with scales. The plaques can appear anywhere on the body, including the trunk, arms, legs, knees, elbows, genitals, and scalp. Nails may also thicken, become pitted, and separate from the nail beds.
- Guttate psoriasis: This type of psoriasis affects mostly children and causes many small spots of red, raised skin. The spots are caused by inflammation and can appear on the arms, legs, and torso.
- Pustular psoriasis: This type of psoriasis causes white, pus-filled blisters to develop on the skin. Most often, the blisters appear on the hands, feet, or both. The affected skin may be surrounded by inflamed or reddened/discolored skin.
- Inverse psoriasis: This type of psoriasis causes smooth, red patches of skin that worsen with friction and sweating. It commonly affects skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.
- Nail psoriasis: This type of psoriasis affects the nails, causing them to pit, crumble, or separate from the nail bed.
- Scalp psoriasis: This type of psoriasis affects the scalp, causing red, itchy, and scaly patches. It can also extend to the forehead, back of the neck, and behind the ears.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is the least common type of psoriasis, but it can be life-threatening. It can cover the entire body with a peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely. Chills, a fever, and dehydration are also common.
It is possible to have more than one type of psoriasis at the same time. The symptoms of psoriasis can range from mild to severe and include dry, thick, and raised patches on the skin covered with a silvery-white coating called scale, itching, soreness, cracked, dry skin, skin pain, and joint pain.
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Dr Jayaram Krishna M