On the skin, psoriasis is manifested by red, thick patches, clearly demarcated from the adjacent normal skin, with an accumulation of dead skin on the surface called scales. The most frequent locations are the elbows, knees, scalp (especially around the ears) in the back above the tailbone. The plaques vary significantly in size depending on the patient, from very large to tiny (drops), red or pink.
This so-called plate form is the most common and represents Vulgaris the conditions encountered. But psoriasis can affect all areas of the skin covering (folds, palms and soles, inside of the ears, navel, etc.), including the mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals as well as the nails.
Sometimes some patients only develop psoriasis in a particular area of the body without typical easily recognizable plaques, making diagnosis difficult for the doctor.
Causes and contributing factors to psoriasis
The causes of psoriasis are still mysterious, even if it is assumed that it requires genetic predispositions associated with a triggering factor 1;
We only know that cell renewal is seven times faster than usual and is accompanied by thickening of the skin and pruritus in half of the cases. In about 30% of cases, there is a genetic predisposition. Several genes have been identified, but their level of responsibility for the onset of the disease remains unknown.
Plaque psoriasis
It is the most widespread psoriasis (over 80% of cases). This is why it also anoints psoriasis Vulgaris. It is characterized by well-defined, thick red patches covered with whitish scales, preferentially located on the scalp, elbows, knees and lumbar region. Still, the patches can also be discovered in the different areas of the body.
Guttate psoriasis
It represents less than 10% of cases. This form often appears in children and adolescents as a result of tonsillitis. It occurs suddenly, in the form of a multitude of small plates a few millimeters in diameter, mainly on the trunk. This form of psoriasis can sometimes progress to plaque psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis
It is characterized by the appearance of tiny blemishes on red patches. These pustules do not contain microbes: they are linked to the intensity of the inflammation.
Psoriasis in infants
Because psoriasis is a genetic illness, a newborn can develop psoriasis lesions within the first few months of life. The sores are usually found under the diapers in this scenario. You can also find this type of psoriasis in seniors who use incontinence pads. The environmental component that causes the flare-up in this type of psoriasis is skin irritation by urine and feces. Seek Psoriasis treatment Pennsylvania if your infant is diagnos with psoriasis.
We distinguish:
- The localized form affects only the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet (palmoplantar pustulosis).
- The shape touches the fingertips, with constantly renewing pustules (acrodermatitis continues Hallopeau).
Erythrodermic psoriasis: generalized form
It can affect the entire skin surface in the form of pustules scattered over red and irritated areas (von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis). It is always accompanied by fever and chills. This rare generalized form of psoriasis is severe and must be treated promptly.
Each of the locations of psoriasis takes a rather specific form and requires appropriate treatment:
Inverse psoriasis (psoriasis or folds): When isolated, it is often mistaken for a fungus (fungal infection). It appears in the form of well-defined red patches affecting flexion and folds (groin, armpits, navel, external auditory canals, the underside of the chest, folds of the belly, or between the buttocks). There is no danger in this form, it is eliminated by perspiration.
Palmoplantar psoriasis (palms of the hands and soles of the feet): this psoriasis is particularly painful and challenging to treat and one must seek treatment at Psoriasis treatment Pennsylvania.
Psoriasis of the face (or sebo-psoriasis): this psoriasis affects the edge of the scalp, the wings of the nose and the “bitterness folds”. This visual localization of psoriasis is often very difficult to live with. The skin of the face is often particularly fragile.
Nail psoriasis: this psoriasis affects about 50% of patients. It is more often associated with psoriatic arthritis. This localization can take various forms: small depressions on the surface of the nail (“thimble” nail), detachment, “oil stain” (salmon-colored stain that shows thru under the nail), thickening, or the appearance of striae (nail dystrophy). The latter form is often misdiagnosed as nail fungus. Nail psoriasis is particularly troublesome, both esthetically and functionally. Thus, attaching a simple button to a shirt sometimes becomes impossible when the nail becomes crumbly.
Scalp psoriasis: 50 to 80% of people with psoriasis also have scalp psoriasis, while others have only isolated scalp psoriasis their entire life. This psoriasis is one of the “stronghold areas”: this location is tough to treat. Scalp psoriasis is often very troublesome when it spreads to the edge of the forehead. Visible by the peeling scales and very itchy, this psoriasis is socially very embarrassing for the affected person.
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