Psoriasis, also known colloquially as psoriasis, is a widespread skin disease. Nevertheless, there is a need for clarification. We have compiled the most important facts for you.
Red, scaly, itchy patches of skin – for people unfamiliar with psoriasis, the skin condition can look alarming. Depending on the severity, those affected suffer greatly from the symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disease.
It is estimated that around two out of every hundred people in Germany are affected by psoriasis. Of these, regarding 70 percent have limited skin involvement (so-called mild psoriasis) and regarding 30 percent have a moderate to severe form, reports the “Apotheken Umschau”.
1. There are different types of psoriasis
According to the Mayo Clinic, a US non-profit research organization, there are six different types of psoriasis:
Plaque-Psoriasis: According to experts, this form of the disease affects up to 90 percent of people who suffer from this skin condition. It leads to dry, itchy, raised, and scaly patches of skin called plaques. Most commonly, these are found on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.
nail psoriasis: This type manifests itself on fingers and toenails. The inflammatory processes lead to abnormal nail growth. The nails discolour, dissolve or even fall off.
Guttate Psoriasis: It usually affects children and young adults. It is triggered by a bacterial infection, such as a sore throat, and then leads to skin changes that appear as small, teardrop-shaped, scaly patches on the abdomen, arms and legs.
Inverse Psoriasis: This special type of psoriasis occurs mainly in skin folds and body bends. It often shows up in the form of inflamed skin on the groin, breasts or buttocks. Friction and sweating aggravate the symptoms.
Pustulöse Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis is rather rare. It appears as pus-filled blisters that appear either over a large area of the body or in small areas of the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Erythrodermische Psoriasis: It is the rarest and most severe form of psoriasis. Erythrodermic psoriasis can cover the entire body with a scaly rash that may itch or burn.
2. Psoriasis is not contagious
Some people who see people with symptoms wonder if the disease is contagious. But this concern is unfounded. “Psoriasis can cause discomfort in people who don’t have psoriasis, as they believe it can be transmitted to them through contact,” says the dermatologist Dr. Ife J. RodneyFounding Director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, opposite Yahoo Life. “However, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. It is simply genetic and there are no external factors that cause psoriasis.”
3. Differences between psoriasis and eczema
Eczema causes inflamed, irritated, and often itchy skin. Eczema diseases usually manifest themselves as neurodermatitis or contact eczema, but differ from psoriasis.
“Both conditions have some overlap, but they have different triggers, symptoms, manifestations and causes,” explains Rodney. “Eczema has multiple triggers and can present as dry, red, itchy skin. It can also be localized if you’ve been in contact with an irritant — think poison ivy, jewelry, or harsh soaps.”
Eczema might also cause “mild, but constant, chronic itching,” the doctor said. In contrast, psoriasis builds up into large, red patches with silvery scales that can cover large areas of the joints. “Psoriasis can be painful and even bleed when you scratch it,” Rodney said.
4. Psoriasis has distinctive features
Although the disease causes a rash-like appearance, the patches typical of psoriasis have a specific appearance. “Psoriasis tends to be more salmon pink to purple depending on skin type, with thick, silvery, fish-like scales, and is classically found on the elbows, knees, navel and buttocks,” explains Dr. Cindy WassefAssistant Professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Yahoo Life.
Also, according to experts, the affected areas are usually well demarcated, whereas eczema would tend to have less defined borders around the rash.
5. Spots form from inflammation
In plaque psoriasis – which most people with psoriasis have – the plaques are formed by “skin inflammation and scaling,” according to the New York dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldenbergfounder of “Goldenberg Dermatologie“, opposite to Yahoo Life.
Normally, the skin has a life cycle in which it matures from the underside to the skin’s surface, adds Wassef. “In people with psoriasis, the cells in our skin go through the life cycle process too quickly and don’t have a chance to form properly. This leads to the characteristic appearance of psoriasis.”
6. Psoriasis is not curable
“You can’t get rid of psoriasis because there’s no cure,” says Rodney. “But there are treatment options that can reduce relapses to a minimum, which we call remission.”
The treatments prevent skin cells from growing as quickly and remove scales, according to the “Mayo Clinic“Mild psoriasis can be treated with creams and ointments containing steroids, vitamin D and other compounds,” Wassef says. For people with advanced psoriasis, injectable drugs that reduce inflammation in the skin are “great treatment options.”
Combining treatments with a healthy diet, orderly lifestyle, and skin care routines can also help, Rodney says.
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