Did you know that psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the population? It is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and can also affect the joints.
The disease is characterized by periods of improvement and worsening, and the most characteristic symptom is the appearance of flaking red plaques on any part of the skin (especially the scalp, elbows, knees, and back).
Psoriasis can manifest at any age, but is most common between 30 and 40 years in both women and men. Check out all the important information about the disease below!
What are the types of psoriasis?
There are several types of psoriasis, know the main and its characteristics:
Psoriasis Vulgaris
According to Ortoderm dermatologist Mayra Tosta, this is the most common type. • It affects the skin causing reddish and peeling spots or plaques. In mild cases, on the elbows, knees; and in some cases in other regions of the body ?, he says.
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Such reddish patches or plaques often itch and can lead to pain. In some severe cases, they may even crack and bleed on the skin around the joints.
Scalp Psoriasis
Mayra points out that, in this case, the lesion is restricted to the scalp region. The symptoms are basically the same as those that appear on the skin in other parts of the body: flaking red plaques that often itch.
Nail psoriasis
It is psoriasis that affects the fingernails and / or toenails. The disease causes the nail to grow thicker, discolored, scaly and contain depressions or yellow spots. In some cases, the nail may crumble or peel off the flesh.
"In these cases of nail psoriasis, we investigated with laboratory tests to see if the joint involvement is not associated," adds Mayra.
Arthropathic psoriasis (or psoriatic arthritis)
In addition to inflammation and peeling of the skin, this type of psoriasis predicts joint pain and may lead to progressive joint stiffness.
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Inverted Psoriasis
Causes the appearance of inflamed red spots especially in areas of the body that form folds and which are wetter, such as armpits, groin, below the breasts and around the genitals.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis mainly affects children and people up to 30 years and is triggered by bacterial infections. It is characterized by small wounds (drop-shaped and covered with a thin scale) usually on the trunk, legs, arms and scalp.
Pustular Psoriasis
It is a rarer type of psoriasis where the spots quickly turn into blisters with pus and can affect all parts of the body or specific areas such as feet, hands or toes.
Pustular psoriasis can also, in some cases, cause severe itching, fever, chills and fatigue.
Palmoplantar psoriasis
This is when the lesions appear on the palms and soles. The skin, in this case, becomes very thick, usually reddish and cracked.
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Erythrodermic Psoriasis
It is the rarest type of psoriasis. It affects almost the entire body (about 75%) with red spots that usually itch and / or sting a lot. It can be triggered by another type of psoriasis that has not been controlled, severe burns, infections, among other factors.
Note that the diagnosis of psoriasis is made by clinical examination of the lesions and, in some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary.
Psoriasis Symptoms
Symptoms of psoriasis vary by type of disease, but can be highlighted:
- Reddish, peeling plaques on a specific area or on various parts of the body (such as elbows, knees, back, hands, and feet)
- Small red spots (droplet shape)
- Dry and / or cracked skin
- Compromised nails (thick, crumbly, yellowish, detached from the flesh, etc.)
- Joint pain and joint stiffness
- Reddish plaques and scaling on the scalp
- Itching and / or burning skin lesions
Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis, so if you notice any strange signs on the skin, it is ideal to schedule an appointment with the trusted dermatologist as soon as possible!
Causes of Psoriasis
Mayra explains that psoriasis is a disease with genetic origin and immunomediate: "ie, a pathology that depends on our immune system for both manifestation and relapses and treatments," he says.
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• There is an accelerated process in cell division, so it leads to peeling of some areas of the skin. Usually this peeling generates dryness accompanied by local itching, and can be mild, moderate or intense ?, explains the dermatologist.
Mayra points out that as it is a disease of genetic origin and immunomediated, several factors are related both in treatment and better control of the disease.
Thus, in addition to genetic predisposition, some factors that may be associated with psoriasis are:
- Use of some medicines
- Infections
- Emotional Factors
- Skin trauma
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
Family history may be a risk factor for psoriasis, and obesity may also facilitate the development of the disease.
Treatments: Is There A Cure For Psoriasis?
"We can not say that there is cure, but we can do some treatments and, in some cases, control with remission of the disease," says Mayra.
Some possible types of treatment are:
- Goods for local use;
- Phototherapy;
- Oral and / or injectable medications.
The treatment is always individualized, recommended and accompanied by the dermatologist, and varies according to the particularities of the case.
It is worth stressing that no method guarantees permanent cure, but in most cases, with treatments it is possible to maintain adequate control of the disease.
Is psoriasis contagious?
Unlike what some people think, psoriasis is not a contagious disease! It is essential that the population be aware of this so that individuals living with the disease do not suffer prejudice and restrictions regarding kisses, hugs and object sharing.
Is there even a commemorative date? World Psoriasis Day (October 29)? above all, in order to make the population aware of the fact that the disease is not contagious.
Living with the disease
It is important that the psoriasis sufferer maintains an optimistic posture and tries to live with the problem as best as possible. This, in most cases, already helps in controlling the disease.
Other important measures to cope with the disease are:
- Avoid hot showers
- Use plenty of moisturizer
- Have a healthy lifestyle, with proper nutrition and exercise (when there is no limitation to practice)
- Do not drink or minimize alcohol consumption
- Do not smoke
- Avoid stress situations as much as possible
Mayra adds that there are also some studies showing the influence of dietary gluten-free diet to better control the pathology.
Sun exposure is often beneficial in many cases. But anyway, follow-up with a trusted dermatologist is essential for the control of the disease and its possible complications.
For people who do not have the disease, information is also essential; This is the only way to avoid prejudice against psoriasis and to really help patients cope with the problem!
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