Content
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes red, dry patches to appear, which can cause itching.
- The most affected areas are the arms, elbows, hands, legs and scalp, but they can appear anywhere on the body.
- There is no test that can confirm whether the person has psoriasis, but the diagnosis can be made by a dermatologist by observing the spots.
- The exact cause of psoriasis is not yet known, however, it is possible that it is caused by an imbalance in the immune system.
- Treatment is usually done with medications and ointments that reduce inflammation or regulate the immune system, but can also be supplemented with phototherapy and dietary changes.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes characteristic symptoms such as red, dry patches, which can cause an itchy sensation, slight burning or pain.
Although it is a relatively common disease, the exact cause is not yet known, however it is common for psoriasis patches to appear or become more intense during situations that directly affect immunity, such as periods of great stress or the presence of autoimmune diseases, for example.
Types and symptoms of psoriasis
Most cases of psoriasis are characterized by the presence of red and dry patches on the skin, however, depending on the type of symptoms and the affected site, psoriasis can be divided into several sub-types:
1. Psoriasis vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris, also called plaque psoriasis, is the most common form of the disease and is characterized by the presence of red plaques, with white or silvery scales, which can be from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size.
This type of psoriasis usually appears on the arms, legs, scalp and lower back, but it can also end up affecting the nails. The presence of other symptoms such as itching or burning in the affected places varies from person to person.
2. Guttate psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis, also known as psoriasis in drops, is more common in children, adolescents and young adults, and is manifested by the presence of drop-shaped patches on the skin.
The spots of guttate psoriasis are smaller than 1 cm and tend to appear on the trunk, armpits and groins, usually after an infection by streptococcus respiratory tract.
3. Pustular psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis occurs when small blisters appear on the skin with pus, along with psoriasis patches. These blisters can appear in only a specific region of the skin or end up spreading throughout the body. When pustular psoriasis is widespread, the person may also experience a fever from 39º to 40º for several days.
4. Inverted psoriasis
Inverted psoriasis is another type of psoriasis that is identified when psoriasis spots appear only in moist places, such as the armpits, groin, inframammary region, navel or scalp, for example. Because they appear in humid places, these stains do not usually show flaking.
5. Nail psoriasis
Known popularly as nail psoriasis, nail psoriasis occurs when the disease mainly affects the nail region, causing nail ripples, spots and weakened nails.
Nail psoriasis often appears before psoriasis appears on the skin and may be the only symptom for several years.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
The first sign of psoriasis is usually the appearance of red spots on the skin, which disappear after some time without needing treatment, but which can reoccur, especially during periods of greater stress.
When you suspect that you may have psoriasis, you should consult a dermatologist, as this is the most suitable professional to diagnose this disease. The diagnosis of psoriasis is usually made by observing the skin symptoms and assessing the person's family health history.
To arrive at the correct diagnosis, the doctor may also have to carry out some tests to rule out other skin problems with similar symptoms, such as eczema, ringworm, lichen planus or lupus erythematosus, for example.
Main affected locations
Psoriasis spots are more common in places like:
- Arms, elbows and hands;
- Legs and knees;
- Genital organs;
- Belly and navel;
- Scalp, near the nape of the neck and on the forehead;
- Coxis and bottom of the back.
Still, psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, varying from person to person. Thus, the ideal is that whenever a change in the skin appears, a consultation with the dermatologist is made to identify the problem and start the most appropriate treatment.
What causes psoriasis
The specific causes of psoriasis are not yet known, however, it is known that the disease is caused by an imbalance in the person's own immune system. This means that psoriasis is not caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria and is therefore not contagious.
Some factors that seem to increase the chances of developing psoriasis include:
- Bumps and other skin injuries;
- Virus or bacterial infections;
- Habits such as smoking or alcoholism;
- Use of medicines, especially antimalarials, lithium or beta-blockers.
Psoriasis also has a very strong genetic relationship, as more than 50% of affected people have other cases of psoriasis in the family.
Treatment for psoriasis
There is no specific treatment capable of eliminating psoriasis and, for this reason, psoriasis is considered to have no cure. However, there are several types of treatment that can relieve symptoms and improve a person's quality of life.
The main types of treatment used are:
- Medicines and ointments: they are the main way to control symptoms and act directly on the immune system or on the inflammatory process of psoriasis. The most used type are corticoid ointments, which reduce the redness and itchiness of the spots;
- Phototherapy: consists of applying UVB rays to the skin and is usually used in conjunction with medicines and ointments to increase the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effect;
- Adequate diet: food is another good way to complement the treatment of psoriasis, as it allows you to avoid the consumption of substances that may contribute to skin inflammation;
In addition, there are also some home remedies for psoriasis that can be used, with the knowledge of the doctor, to control symptoms, without adding side effects to the treatment. A good example is watercress, which helps to eliminate substances that have the potential to cause psoriasis attacks or worsen symptoms.
In recent years, interest in studying some biological agents, such as adalimumab or etanercept, has also increased in order to mitigate the symptoms of psoriasis. This type of medication is a new class of treatment that consists of using proteins or antibodies capable of regulating the immune system.