By Dr. Smriti Naswa Singh
On World Psoriasis Day, October 29, 2022, we take a look at what psoriasis is, different types of psoriasis, its complications, its symptoms and its treatment.
World Psoriasis Day 2022: What is psoriasis and what are the different types of psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition or disease in which a person gets rashes that become itchy, leading to scaly patches. It usually occurs on the knees, elbows, torso and scalp. Since psoriasis is a common, long-term condition that is chronic, with no cure, it requires diagnosis because it can make daily life difficult. Some common types of psoriasis include:
Plaque Psoriasis or Psoriasis Vulgaris: One of the most typical types of psoriasis, it results in raised red or pink plaques with thick scaling on the skin. It usually affects the elbows, knees, lower back, and the outer or extensor aspects of the skull. Apart from this, this situation can get worse during the winter season.
Scalp Psoriasis: In this condition scaly plaques appear on the scalp of the patient. It can be confused with seborrheic dermatitis, an eczematous condition caused by the fungus that causes dandruff.
Nail Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis usually affects the fingernails and toenails. This can lead to detachment, discoloration and separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
Palmoplantar Psoriasis: Since palmoplantar psoriasis involves the palms and soles of the feet, it can cause cracks, cuts, and bleeding, along with thick, scaly skin. When a patient suffers from this condition, he has extreme difficulty in walking and working with his hands.
Guttate Psoriasis: A condition that commonly occurs in young adults and children. It usually occurs when the person is suffering from fever caused by some infection or bacterial infection. This version of psoriasis tends to heal faster and usually looks like a droplet of scaly lesions on the trunk and extremities.
Pustular Psoriasis: In this condition, pus-containing sores develop all over the patient’s body. It can also sometimes occur in a small area that is localized to the palms and soles of the body. In addition, abrupt withdrawal following extensive use of steroids (oral and topical) can lead to pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis. To prevent this, steroids should never be used without first consulting a dermatologist and finding the correct diagnosis for a condition.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis constitutes a medical emergency because more than 90 percent of the body’s surface area is covered. In this condition, psoriasis loses its classical scaly plaque look and a generalized red skin rash, resulting in itching or severe burning.
Inverse Psoriasis: This disease involves the folds of the body under the groin, armpits and breasts. This causes red spots with a small amount of scaling, as these areas are prone to sweating.
psoriatic arthritis: A condition in which the small joints of the hands and feet are involved. It is likely to affect the joints, causing pain and difficulty with everyday functioning.
World Psoriasis Day 2022: Complications of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a part of the metabolic syndrome and therefore psoriatics are more prone to lifestyle diseases. Therefore, not only timely diagnosis is important to diagnose diseases quickly and prevent complications, but also following a healthy lifestyle (with high fiber diet, exercise, proper sleep and preventing mental stress) can also help to prevent psoriasis. It is important to better manage and prevent. its complications.
Complications of psoriasis include:
Some complications caused by psoriatic arthritis are pain, stiffness and swelling in and around joints, temporary skin color changes (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation after inflammation) where the plaques have healed. It also creates eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis. Other complications are as follows:
- obesity
- diabetes type 2
- high blood pressure
- cardiovascular disease
- mental health conditions, such as low self-esteem and depression
- other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s disease
Also read: World Psoriasis Day 2022: Day, History, Significance, Theme and Symptoms
World Psoriasis Day 2022: Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a medical condition that occurs when skin cells are replaced more rapidly than normal. Although its exact cause is relatively unknown, research suggests that an immune system problem causes the condition. In a genetically predisposed individual, infections, trauma, scratches, cuts, burns, and medications such as lithium and anti-blood pressure medications can exacerbate psoriasis.
A red scaly patch appears over the surface of the skin, which may itch and increase during the winter. This condition usually involves the extensor part of the body (which is a muscle working to extend a body part such as a limb) such as the elbows, knees, and scalp. Due to the coarse scaling, psoriasis leads to dry, cracked skin and cracks, which can lead to irritation, especially in the palms. Psoriasis lesions tend to flare and subside cyclically during the winter season or periods of physical (illness/surgery) or mental stress.
World Psoriasis Day 2022: Treatment Options
Depending on the extent and severity of the psoriasis, a dermatologist will select a topical cream or oral/IV therapy for the patient. Some popular topical creams include:
- Topical corticosteroids: These are used only in patients with thick plaque that is resistant. It is used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis.
- Vitamin D analogs
- topical calcineurin inhibitors
- coal tar
- anthralin
- Light therapy (Psoralen with sunlight, UVA, NBUVB)
- retinoids
- salicylic acid
On the other hand, oral or IV therapy includes methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids, biologics, and apremilast.
World Psoriasis Day 2022: Precautions and Prevention
Psoriasis is a part of metabolic syndrome, and psoriatics are at greater risk of lifestyle diseases. Therefore, timely screening is essential to diagnose diseases and prevent complications immediately. Additionally, by following a healthy lifestyle (which includes a high-fiber diet, exercise, proper sleep, and preventing mental stress), it is possible to better manage psoriasis and prevent its complications. Some other precautions that a patient suffering from psoriasis should take include:
- Infections, including strep throat or skin infections, can provoke psoriasis in a person.
- weather, especially cold, dry conditions
- Any injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, bug bite, or severe sunburn
- smoking, including exposure to second hand smoke
- alcohol consumption, especially when consumed daily
- Certain medicines such as lithium, high blood pressure medicines, and antimalarial drugs
- rapid withdrawal of oral or injectable corticosteroids
- Smoking increases the risk of psoriasis and increases its severity
(Disclaimer: Dr. Smriti Naswa Singh is a Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetic Dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and Zee News does not endorse the same.)