What is psoriasis?, a chronic and autoimmune skin disease affecting millions globally, it manifests as itchy, dry, and red patches on the skin.
While there is no definitive cure, various treatments aim to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall well-being. This comprehensive guide explores the types, causes, and diverse treatments available for managing psoriasis.
What Is Psoriasis?
What is psoriasis? Types, causes, treatments, etc. Specialists estimate that nearly 125 million people worldwide are forced to live with it.
This skin disease can cause outbreaks of red and white patches, as well as lesions all over the body. The most frequently affected areas are the scalp, joints, lower back, etc.
Understanding this Disease
To understand how a disease flare unfolds, you need to know that the defensive system produces proteins called cytokines.
They are responsible for communication between immune cells and help coordinate the body's response to an infection.
An increase in any of the proteins can cause an abnormal response and cause inflammatory symptoms. The skin will then generate new cells faster.
While it normally regenerates in 30 days, it will do so in a few days in people affected by this chronic erythematous squamous dermatosis.
The reduction of this cycle leads to an accumulation of cells, a thickening of the skin, and the appearance of plaques.
Before Treating It...
It is therefore characterized by the too-rapid renewal of the epidermis. This has the effect of triggering inflammation in the affected areas, in the form of red, whitish patches and/or crusts.
The scales multiply and, in addition to being unsightly, can cause extreme pain, burning, flaking, permanent itching, or even bleeding.
Doctors are getting better and better at diagnosing this pathology, including in the case of pustular type, which has not always been considered as such.
This dermatosis is chronic, and its intensity varies according to people and periods. We generally note moments of strong attacks and others of remissions.
What is psoriasis? Some patients, unfortunately, do not have the chance to go through these phases and suffer permanently.
Different Types of Psoriasis
What is psoriasis? and how it manifests itself in several ways. There are several specific forms, including:
1. Plaque or Vulgaris
This is the most common manifestation of the disease. Plaques can be anywhere on the body. They are usually red and scaly and can lead to bleeding lesions.
2. On the Scalp
It is located on the scalp, at the level of the neck, the top of the skull, or even around and on the ears. It causes white patches and scabs.
3. Guttate or Guttana
Instead of plaque, this type manifests as small drops that whiten quickly. They are found in the lower back, on the lower abdomen, and also in the hair.
4. Of the Hands and Feet
This dermatosis will cause redness and flaking on the palms of the hands, up to the wrists. On the feet, the soles will be affected, and the skin will thicken. Plaques can spread to the ankles and crack the heels.
We can also see the appearance of fissural pulpitis and pustules in both areas, especially between the fingers of the hands and feet.
5. Inverse
Also called a fold, it affects the areas of the buttocks, genitals, under the breasts, inguinal, or even the armpits. The rashes are red and shiny.
6. Pustular
Localized, it is a clinical manifestation in the form of plaques with flat pustules in white tones that spread out and leave the skin dry and very painful.
This type can become generalized in rare cases, and the vital prognosis is then engaged.
7. On the Nail
In many people suffering from this disease, it affects the nail and appears as small white spots. It causes nail fragility and depression in the area. The nail can then be split and separated into layers.
Causes and Comorbidity of this Disease
This disease is an inflammatory, chronic, and autoimmune disease. The causes of this complex pathology remain unknown for the moment. The genetic component leads to a predisposition.
Family history is often found in diagnosed cases. The disease can occur at any time of life, particularly during adolescence. It may also have an infectious factor.
At the same time, a wide variety of influencing factors can trigger its appearance. The environment, in particular psycho-physiological, would have a significant impact on that.
Periods of stress but also a psychological shock, such as death, can lead to eruptions, but not only.
The genetic component predisposes to the pathology, which can also be linked to environmental factors such as infections, trauma, obesity, or even smoking.
1. Psychological Affectation
Plaques, flaking, wounds, and bleeding due to itching are unfortunately only the visible faces of this disease.
In addition to the physical manifestations in the affected areas, it causes other non-cutaneous symptoms. You should know that psychological affectation can be particularly important.
- Fear of Judgment: From others, loss of self-esteem and body shame can hamper patients' lives.
- The Anxiety: This generates then risks aggravating the eruptions and making them self-limiting in their daily lives.
- The Feeling of Failure: The chronic evolution of the disease causes frustration and, in extreme cases, can lead to great social isolation, depression, and even, unfortunately, suicide.
That type is considered by many specialists to be one of the physical problems with the greatest impact on quality of life.
At the same time, in addition to the aesthetic itching and acute pain, the comorbidities of this dermatosis are significant.
2. Several Comorbidities Link
Thomas Habig, in Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, explains that several comorbidities are linked to this systemic disease, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Liver and kidney problems, including kidney failure
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Psychosocial and psychiatric disorders
Problems related to sexuality due to chronic inflammation of the genital mucous membranes due to psoriasis in the area.
Nearly half of the patients aged 65 and suffering from this disease suffer from at least three comorbidities, and two-thirds suffer from at least two.
The lipid mechanism may also be affected, and there is a greater risk of infarction and aortic stenosis.
Many organizations, including the American Dermatology Association, have highlighted the relationship between severe psoriasis and decreased life expectancy.
Treatments for this Inflammatory Disease
Unfortunately, it still doesn't have a definitive cure. Doctors still offer a wide range of treatment options to keep it under control.
This requires taking into account the unique characteristics of each instance, its severity, the lesions' affected area, coexisting illnesses, gender, age, lifestyle, and the extent of any psychological effects, among other factors.
The impact of the disease on quality of life is also taken into account to be able to select an adequate treatment.
The treatments are long and require a lot of patience. Personalization is essential, and current treatment options can be classified into four groups:
1. Topical Treatments
These are creams, lotions, or even shampoos, often based on corticosteroids or vitamin D derivatives. They will calm the rashes but can only be used for a short time and in a small area.
2. Systemic Treatments
They come in the form of tablets or injections. The action is global, but it can lead to significant, undeniable effects.
3. Biological Treatments
Administered subcutaneously or intravenously, they will act selectively by blocking altered molecular targets. Doctors generally reserve them for the most severe cases.
4. Phototherapy
It is one of the most common treatments for it. Exposure via UVB lamps and/or blue LED light devices may soothe some patients' plaques.
Because of the risks of comorbidities, specialists recommend treating them more generally by involving dermatologists, nutritionists, rheumatologists, or even cardiologists and psychologists, depending on the extent and severity of the lesions.
When they are localized on the joints, for example, and without treatment, the patient's mobility decreases sharply, and this will affect the patient's quality of life.
Conclusion
What is psoriasis? These different options can help those affected, but, as we said before, this chronic condition comes back in cycles.
These treatments are therefore only suspensive and can also have significant side effects, which is why it can be interesting to learn 'What is psoriasis?'
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