Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes thick, red, irritated skin and flaky silver-like scales on the body of those suffering from this condition. The scales are visible flaking of the skin and possible causes are dry skin, some inflammatory skin conditions or skin infections.

Although the condition mainly affects the skin of the body, individuals may suffer from scalp psoriasis. A correct diagnosis by a qualified healthcare professional is necessary in order to assess psoriasis symptoms.

Causes of Psoriasis

Physicians believe that the condition occurs when the body confuses healthy cells for dangerous substances. Psoriasis seems to run in families and may have a genetic component. Dead skin cells take approximately one month to rise to the surface of the skin and shed; however, psoriasis sufferers process dead skin cells too quickly. Because of the speed and excessive amount of dead cells on the skin’s surface, they appear as scales.

Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms occur suddenly or over a long period. The symptoms of psoriasis vary and may go away but tend to return repeatedly. The red, irritated skin generally shows up on elbows, knees and the middle of the body. Additionally, the skin may be itchy, salmon colored, or covered with scales that are raised and thick. One of the symptoms of scalp psoriasis is severe dandruff.

Males may experience draining and painful urination, itching, sores, or have lesions in their genital area. Other symptoms include joint pain or aching and physical or appearance changes of the nails. Dents in the nails, yellow-brown nails and lifting nails are changes that warrant a checkup from a physician. Make an appointment with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis of psoriasis symptoms.

Types

According to the Government’s Medline Plus online encyclopedia, psoriasis is broken down into five main types and can affect all areas of the skin. Erythrodermic psoriasis is very intense skin redness that covers a large area on the skin.

Guttate psoriasis appears as pink, red spots on the skin. Inverse psoriasis appears in the folds of overlapping skin and found in the armpit and groin areas. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type and characterized by thick, red patches of skin covered by silver-white scales. Pustular psoriasis appears as white blisters surrounded by red, irritated skin.

Treatment

Goals for treating psoriasis are managing psoriasis symptoms and preventing infection. Treatment for psoriasis includes topical treatments, injections, oral medications, and phototherapy.

Creams, lotions and ointments are topical treatments used for treating psoriasis on the body. Ingredients like anthralin, coal tar and cortisone are in the formulations of creams and ointments. Typically, salicylic acid or lactic acid is in creams that remove the scales from the skin. The topical treatment for scalp psoriasis is specially formulated shampoos.

Pills and injections treat the condition by affecting the immune system, not just the skin, and termed systemic or body-wide treatments. When the condition is severe, physicians will prescribe medications to suppress the immune system.

Either a medication containing methotrexate or cyclosporine is prescribed or a prescription for a retinoid with acitretin. When other drugs do not work, new drugs called biologics are used. Biologic drugs approved for treating psoriasis symptoms are Amevive, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and Stelara.

Another option for treatment is phototherapy and it uses ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B lights. Treatment involves careful exposure to ultraviolet lights alone or after the patient takes medication to make the skin sensitive to light.

If the patient develops an infection, a physician may prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. Treatment at home includes oatmeal baths, careful sunlight exposure and using antistress or relaxation techniques.

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Category: About Psoriasis