Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Typically, psoriasis shows up as discolored skin, small bumps that grow to create lesions (larger areas of damaged skin), or red rashes of thick skin where silver-colored scales begin to form on top. The surface of the skin plaque might easily shed or flake, but the scales beneath them will stick together. These skin plaques may be itchy or painful. When the affected skin is scratched, the scales may be torn from the skin and cause bleeding as well as infection.

The symptoms of psoriasis can range from mild to severe. Other than skin plaques, psoriasis symptoms include:

Dry, cracked skin
Itchy skin
Skin or joints pain
Nails that are cracked, pitted, or crumbly- can easily detach from the nail bed.

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Causes and Triggers of Psoriasis Flare-Ups

Psoriasis is mainly caused by an overactive immune system that causes skin inflammation. A healthy immune system normally functions to destroy foreign invaders and fight against illnesses. However, in psoriasis, the immune system is impaired and mistakenly destroys the healthy skin cells and then responds by causing inflammation of the skin, which appears on the skin surface as skin plaques.

Usually, the regeneration of skin cells and replacement of old, affected skin cells with new, healthy skin cells takes up to a month. In psoriasis patients, the over-active immune system causes the new skin cells to grow and replace old skin cells in just 3-4 days. As a result, scales develop on the skin and there is frequent skin shedding on the surface of the skin plaques.

Furthermore, psoriasis does run in families. It is an inheritable condition. Commonly, psoriasis outbreaks are caused by triggers like:

A skin injury/trauma like scrapes, cut, or surgical incision
A streptococcal infection
Emotional stress.

Fluctuating body temperature because of the weather conditions
Use of certain medications such as beta-blockers and lithium.

How can Psoriasis be Treated?

Several treatments can help patients deal with symptoms of psoriasis. Some can help slow down the growth of new skin cells while others can relieve dry, itchy skin. The skin specialist in Hyderabad at Neya Skin Clinic can help create the best-suited treatment plan for the patient depending on the size of their skin rash, the areas of the body affected, their age, and their overall health.

Common treatment options include the use of certain creams/ointments. For small areas affected by psoriasis, doctors usually recommend the application of topical steroids, Vitamin A or reti-noid creams, medicated shampoos or lotions, moisturizers (for dry skin), Vitamin D3 ointments, and certain medications can slow the production of new skin cells.

In case, the symptoms fail to improve after treating psoriasis rashes with topical products or there are large areas of the skin being affected, the doctor may recommend for following treatments:

Phototherapy or PUVA therapy- Where psoralen medication is first applied onto the treatment site and then it is exposed to a special form of UV light. This light therapy can help reduce skin inflammation and delay new skin cell production.
Immunotherapy- There are small molecule inhibitors or biologics that can help inhibit the functioning of an over-active immune system.
Some medications (for severe psoriasis) like enzyme inhibitors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is psoriasis a contagious skin disease?

No. If a healthy individual with clear skin comes in direct skin contact with people having psoriasis rashes, he/she cannot catch psoriasis.

Who is at risk for psoriasis?

Psoriasis can affect anyone irrespective of age, race, or sex. However, it mostly occurs in adults. Both men and women can get psoriasis at roughly the same rate as they are at equal risk.

What areas of my body can be affected by psoriasis?

A psoriasis rash can be noticed on the skin of any part of the body. However, it is commonly seen on the scalp, and face including the inside of the mouth, knees and elbows, genitals, fingernails and toenails, palms and feet, and lower back. Mostly, psoriasis affects small areas of the skin. In severe cases, small skin plaques can merge and cover larger portions of the skin.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Physicians or skin doctors can diagnose psoriasis by carrying out a thorough physical examination of their patients to look at their skin closely and review their symptoms or run a laboratory test. It is easier to diagnose psoriasis if the patients are having plaques on their skin of different body parts such as the ears, elbows, knees, nails, navel, and scalp. The doctor might do a biopsy test- take out a small piece of the affected skin, examine it under the microscope, and test it for skin infections. This is done to rule out the possibility of experiencing other skin issues and confirm psoriasis.

Can psoriasis have an impact on my pregnancy and my baby?

Yes. Psoriasis runs in blood relations, so children can inherit psoriasis from their affected parents. You must discuss with your doctor how to manage psoriasis during pregnancy.

Are there different types of psoriasis?

Yes. There are various kinds of psoriasis. These includes:

Plaque psoriasis- It is the most common type, affecting 80-90% of the affected population. It results in plaques on the skin that look like a rash or bump of thick skin, appears discolored, is scaly or flaky, and can easily shed.
Pustular psoriasis- It looks like red and scaly skin having small, pus-filled bumps on its top.
Guttate psoriasis- It appears like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots typically after sore throat caused by Streptococcal infection, often in children and young adults.
Inverse psoriasis- It causes thin plaques on the skin without scales, typically in the skin folds.
Erythrodermic psoriasis- This is the severe form of psoriasis that covers 90% of the skin and results in widespread skin discoloration and shedding of the skin cells.
Sebopsoriasis- It is a combination of seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. Typically, it shows up as bumps and plaques with a greasy, yellow scale on the facial and scalp skin.
Nail psoriasis- It leads to skin discoloration, pitting, and changes to the toenails and fingernails.

Can psoriasis be associated with arthritis?

Yes. About 1 in 3 people having psoriasis can get a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. It is an autoimmune condition that is linked to joint pain and inflammation.

Are there any complications of psoriasis?

Those who have psoriasis may be at higher risk of experiencing complications like:

Strokes
Heart attacks
Diabetes
Obesity
High Cholesterol.

Consult now the best skin doctor in Hyderabad at Neya Dermatology & Aesthetics Clinic to know more about psoriasis and other autoimmune skin disorder treatment. For more information on psoriasis treatment cost, consult Dr. Ravali Yalamanchili.

Psoriasis in Hyderabad