What is Psoriasis and How is it Treated?

One of the most challenging skin care conditions to have is psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects over 7 million Americans and is most common in the Caucasian population. It is a long term, chronic skin condition that has no cure at this time. Psoriasis shows up as red scaly patches that can occur on any part of your body but generally appear on the elbows, scalp, and knees. Breakouts come and go and can vary in severity. It affects all ages and races and both sexes. Severe cases of psoriasis can interfere with everyday life and cause suffers to experience embarrassment and social anxiety issues.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune disease and it seems to run in families. The exact cause of psoriasis is not know, but scientists are conducting genetic research to find a way to locate the gene that causes the body to produce the excess skin and scaly patches that are symptoms of this skin condition. Psoriasis is not contagious and you cannot spread it to other people, nor can you catch it from someone that has it.

What Parts of the Body are Affected?

The most commonly affected areas of the body are the elbows, knees, and scalp. Psoriasis can also affect your nails, your genitals (particularly on the head of a man’s penis), between your buttocks, and in or near your navel. Your joints may also be affected. This is called psoriasis arthritis and is a degenerative condition, meaning it causes damage to the joints. Approximately 10 to 35 percent of psoriasis suffers develop join pain. It can affect any of the joints in your body, but the hands, ankles, and knees are the most common places. Any part of your body can be affected by this skin condition.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

You may have thickened red or pink patches of skin that become dry and raised. These areas may be large or small, depending on the severity of your skin condition. Psoriasis presents itself normally in areas that receive friction such as in the groin area or any area of your body that receives trauma or a lot of use. Psoriasis may appear as large thick plaques of raised skin, small flattened bumps, large flakes of skin that fall off, and red patches. On your scalp, you may see red patches and flakes that are similar to dandruff. If your nails are affected, it may start as small pits under the nail plate or a separation of the nail plate with large yellow areas called oil spots. Normally, psoriasis also affects the skin around your nails.

Types of Psoriasis

The different types of psoriasis are:

• Psoriasis vulgaris – the most common type that appears as red patches, scales, and lesions that are covered by a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells
• Guttate psoriasis – small spots that look like drops
• Inverse psoriasis – this type occurs in the underarms, buttocks, and navel
• Pustular psoriasis – characterized by small, yellow, pus-filled blisters
• Palmoplantar psoriasis – affects the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet

Treatment Options

Each case of psoriasis is unique, and the best person to consult for treatment is a dermatologist. There are several different treatment options depending on the severity of your condition. Topical creams and lotions are effective for mild cases, while more severe cases may need oral medications and light therapy to help alleviate and prevent flare ups. Injections of steroids into lesions can help to reduce them and speed recovery. Oral medications are also an option and can be effective for helping to stop the spread of psoriasis arthritis.

Psoriasis can be a painful and embarrassing skin condition. But today there are treatment options that give people who suffer from this skin condition hope. Consult with a dermatologist to determine which course of treatment is the best for you.