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psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

A persistent inflammatory skin disorder, psoriasis is characterized by red skin covered with whitish scales. This is a chronic disorder, in which, the skin cells multiply ten times faster than normal, causing a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, that do not fall off, making the skin look scaly.

Psoriasis is generally associated with many other health conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiac diseases, type 2 diabetes, and psoriatic arthritis.

It usually affects the scalp, palms, elbows, knees, torso, and soles of the feet. A few rare types of psoriasis also affects the genital area, nails, and the mouth.

Psoriasis can be of several types such as:

  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Plaque psoriasis
  • Inverse psoriasis
  • Guttate psoriasis
  • Nail psoriasis
  • Pustular psoriasis
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis

How does psoriasis occur?

The skin cells that grow deep within our skin, gradually rise to the surface and eventually fall off as a part of our natural bodily cycle. The usual life cycle of a skin cell is one month. When psoriasis occurs, the cycle is hastened. The skin cells multiply ten times faster than normal, causing a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin that do not have the time to fall off, once they reach the surface causing a scaly look.

Who is prone to psoriasis?

People who can be prone to psoriasis include:

  • people who have a family history of the disease
  • people who are suffering from infections such as a cold, the flu, or pneumonia
  • people who are stressed
  • people who suffer from type 2 diabetes
  • people who suffer from psoriatic arthritis
  • people who suffer from cardiovascular disease
  • people who suffer from high blood pressure
  • people who suffer from Crohn’s disease
  • people who suffer from high cholesterol
  • people who suffer from depression
  • people who suffer from ulcerative colitis
  • people who suffer from HIV, or other viral and bacterial diseases
  • people who suffer from obesity
What are the causes of psoriasis?

The main causes of psoriasis include:

  • stress
  • injury to the skin (cuts, scrapes, bug bites, severe sunburns)
  • infections such as a cold, the flu, or pneumonia
  • certain medications (including lithium, antimalarials, quinidine, indomethacin)
  • a malfunctioning immune system
  • skin injury
  • HIV
  • obesity

What are the symptoms of psoriasis? How is psoriasis diagnosed?

The symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • scaly reddish patches of skin
  • dry and cracked skin prone to bleeding
  • flaky skin
  • itching and burning in the affected area
  • soreness in the affected area
  • joint stiffness
  • discoloured, ridged and thickened nails
  • swollen and stiff joints

Diagnosis

To diagnose psoriasis, the doctor will first ask you about your medical history (especially if there is any family history of psoriasis) and examine your skin, nails, and scalp.

In some cases, the doctor may advise you to undergo a skin biopsy. A local anesthetic will be applied onto your affected skin, and a small sample of the skin will be cut. The sample will be examined under a microscope to determine the type of psoriasis you have, and also rule out any other possible disorders.

What are the complications of psoriasis?

People with psoriasis are at a greater risk of suffering from:

  • joint damage and a loss of function in some joints
  • eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis
  • type 2 diabetes
  • cardiovascular disorders
  • autoimmune disorders
  • parkinson’s disease
  • kidney disorders
  • high blood pressure
  • obesity
  • digestive disorders