Psoriasis: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes & Types

Are you someone who is dealing with an itchy skin condition that just doesn't seem to go away? Psoriasis might be the culprit. This is a chronic autoimmune disease. It affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause a range of symptoms, from painful red patches to thick scales. In this blog post, we'll dive into everything you need to know about psoriasis disease - its causes, types, diagnosis methods, and treatment options. 

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. This results in the overproduction of skin cells. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells. 

Skin cells mature and are shed at a rate that is four times faster than normal. This overproduction of skin cells causes the buildup of plaques on the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis can vary from person to person. But most people with the condition will have one or more of the following:

• Red, scaly patches on the skin that may be itchy or sore

• Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

• Swollen and painful joints

• Smooth and red patches in the mouth

• Psoriasis can also cause fatigue and depression

Causes of Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis disease is unknown. But it is thought to be related to an overactive immune system. In people with psoriasis, the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.

Several factors may trigger or worsen psoriasis, including:

• Infections
• Stress
• Dry skin 
• Certain medications (such as beta blockers and lithium), 
• Cold weather
• Injury to the skin 

Types of Psoriasis

There are five main types of psoriasis disease: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease. It is characterised by raised, red patches covered with a silvery-white buildup of dead skin cells. These patches are also known as plaques. They can vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter.

Guttate psoriasis is characterised by small (less than 10 millimetres in diameter) round patches of raised red skin that are covered with a fine scale. It often appears suddenly after an infection such as strep throat or bronchitis. This type of psoriasis often clears up without treatment within a few weeks or months.

Inverse psoriasis appears as smooth red patches in the folds of skin such as the armpits or groin. It is more common in people who are overweight. It often affects women during pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels. Inverse psoriasis may be aggravated by friction and sweating from tight-fitting clothes.

Pustular psoriasis is characterised by white or yellow bumps filled with pus on a red base. These lesions can develop in widespread patches, or as localised areas of rash. It is most common in adults. It is usually triggered by medications, infections, stress, or exposure to certain chemicals.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the least common type of psoriasis. But it can be serious and even life-threatening if left untreated. It causes widespread reddening and scaling of the skin over large areas of the body. This type of psoriasis may be triggered by an infection, severe sunburn, or using certain medications such as corticosteroids or lithium.

Diagnosis of Psoriasis

The diagnosis of psoriasis is typically made by a dermatologist based on a physical examination of the skin. These tests may include a skin scraping or biopsy and/or blood tests.

In a skin scraping test, a small sample of skin is removed with a sharp blade. It is examined under a microscope. This test can help identify the presence of psoriasis. It often has characteristic features such as thickened patches of skin, scaling, and plaques.

A biopsy for psoriasis disease involves taking a small sample of skin and examining it under a microscope. This can help confirm the diagnosis of psoriasis if there are signs of inflammation or other changes that are characteristic of the condition. It is also used to rule out other conditions, such as skin infections or other skin disorders.

Blood tests may also be used to rule out other conditions or to determine if there is an underlying medical condition that could be causing psoriasis. These tests may include measuring levels of inflammatory markers or looking for signs of an autoimmune response.

Treatment of Psoriasis

There are many treatments available for psoriasis disease. The best treatment for you will depend on the severity of your condition, the type of psoriasis you have, and your overall health.

Topical treatments are usually the first line of treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis. These include corticosteroid creams or ointments, calcitriol (vitamin D3) cream or ointment, tazarotene (a retinoid) cream or gel, anthralin cream or ointment, coal tar products, and phototherapy (light therapy).

Systemic treatments are used for more severe cases of psoriasis or when topical treatments have not worked. These include oral or injected drugs that work throughout the body. The most common systemic treatments are methotrexate, cyclosporine, sulfasalazine, acitretin, apremilast, and biologics.

Biologic drugs are a newer type of systemic treatment. They are made from living cells. They target specific parts of the immune system that play a role in psoriasis. 

In addition to these treatments, lifestyle changes can help people with psoriasis manage their condition. These include quitting smoking, avoiding triggers that can cause a flare-up, practising stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation, and eating a healthy diet.

Conclusion

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It can cause significant emotional and physical distress. With the right treatment, psoriasis symptoms can be managed and the condition itself may even go into remission. By understanding more about this complex condition, you can take steps towards booking a blood test with Metropolis Labs. 

With more than 120 clinical laboratories equipped for 4000+ tests and panels at Metropolis Labs, you can now get your blood samples collected by professional technicians from your home. A proper understanding of psoriasis disease and accurate diagnosis can help you recover steadily.