Psoriasis - Symptoms and Treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease. It is very common. It is a thick, dry, rough build up of skin. Common sites are the elbows, scalp, knees, genitals and fingernails; it can happen anywhere though. It is not contagious.

Psoriasis is a disease of the immune system. Certain immune cells produce a protein TNF. TNF causes the skin cell cycle to speed up and cells accumulate and will form raised, red patches with scales. There is still research being done, there is not at lot know about why psoriasis happens. You will be more likely to have it if someone in your family has it. Usually it will start in early adulthood. 2.5% of the US population is affected by psoriasis.

Symptoms of psoriasis include white, silvery scales on the skin with red inflamed skin underneath. It can also look like red, raised patches. It is pretty painful, itchy, cracking skin, with bleeding. It is a lifelong battle. There are five types of psoriasis. The most common is plaque. In guttate psoriasis you will have small red spots on your skin. Inverse psoriasis is in the armpits, groin, and skin folds. Pustular psoriasis is a white blister around red skin. Last, erythrodermic psoriasis is an intense redness over large areas.

Your symptoms will become worse when you are stressed. It will also flare up if you get a skin injury, drink a lot of alcohol, if you smoke a lot, your skin is exposed to lots of friction, for example your clothes, or if you have little to no sunlight exposure or if you get sunburned. Psoriasis usually gets better when you are out in the sun, so it will look and feel better in the summer versus the winter.

10-30% of people that have psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis. This is pain, swelling, and stiffness in and around the joints.

Treatments will vary on the type and severity of your psoriasis. Medication that usually is topical is a common place to start. Then, usually it will go to a pill form, then possibly injections. Another common practice is phototherapy where they expose you to UV rays. Talk to your dermatologist or family doctor. A Dermatologist may be better, they specialize in skin diseases.