Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with scaly, itchy patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.
Overview
Psoriasis is a common (chronic) long-term disease with no cure. It can cause pain, disrupt sleep, and make concentrating difficult. The disease tends to progress in cycles, getting worse for a few weeks or months, then easing for a while. Common triggers in people with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis include infections, cuts or burns, and certain medications.
Treatments are available to help you control your symptoms. And you can try lifestyle habits and coping strategies to help you live better with psoriasis.
Common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:
Localized rashes vary in appearance from person to person, from flaky, dandruff-like patches to large rashes over a large area of the body.
Rash of various colors, tending to be purple with gray scales on brown or black skin and pink or red with silver scales on white skin
Small scaly spots (common in children)
Dry, cracked, and may bleed
Itchy, burning, or painful
Cyclic rash that flares up over several weeks or months and then disappears.
There are several types of psoriasis, each with different signs and symptoms:
Plaque psoriasis. The most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, causes dry, itchy, raised patches of skin (plaques) covered with scales. There can be a little or a lot. They often appear on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. The color of the patches varies depending on skin color. The affected skin may heal with temporary color changes (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), especially on brown or black skin.
Nail psoriasis. Psoriasis can affect fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth, and discoloration. Nails with psoriasis may become loose and separate from the nail bed (onychomycosis). Severe illness can cause nails to break.
Guttate psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis mainly affects young people and children. It is often triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It is marked by small, scaly, teardrop-shaped spots on the trunk, arms, or legs.
Inverse psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis mainly affects skin folds in the groin, buttocks, and breasts. It causes smooth patches of inflamed skin, worsened by friction and sweating. Fungal infections can cause this type of psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis, a rare type, causes blisters with clear pus. This can happen in large areas or small areas on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Erythrodermic psoriasis. The least common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, can cover the entire body with a rash that can itch or burn intensely. It can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
When to see a doctor
If you suspect you have psoriasis, consult your healthcare provider. Also, consult your doctor if your condition:
becomes severe or widespread
causes you discomfort and pain
causes you concerns about the appearance of your skin
does not improve during treatment
Cause
Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem that causes skin cells to grow faster than normal. In the most common type of psoriasis, called plaque psoriasis, this rapid cell turnover leads to the appearance of dry, scaly patches.
The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. It is thought to be an immune system problem in which infection-fighting cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. Researchers believe that genetic and environmental factors play a role. This condition is not contagious.
Psoriasis Triggers
Many people susceptible to psoriasis may have no symptoms for years until the disease is triggered by an environmental factor. Common psoriasis triggers include:
Infections, such as strep throat or skin infections.
The weather is freezing and dry.
Skin damage, such as cuts or scrapes, insect bites, or severe sunburn.
Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Drinking too much alcohol
Certain medications, including lithium, blood pressure medications, and antimalarials
Immediately stop oral or injected corticosteroids
Additional information
Medical care psoriasis Mayo Clinic
What are the risks of vaccination for people living with psoriasis??
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop psoriasis. About one-third of cases begin in childhood. These factors can increase the risk of developing the disease:
Family history. The condition runs in families. Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk of getting the disease. And having two parents with psoriasis increases your risk even more.
Smoking. Smoking not only increases your risk of psoriasis, but it can also increase the severity of the disease.
Complications
If you have psoriasis, you are at higher risk of other conditions, including:
Psoriatic arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in and around the joints.
Temporary changes in skin color (post-inflammatory hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation) where plaques have healed
Eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and uveitis
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and an inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn's disease
Mental health problems, such as low self-esteem and depression