What is psoriasis? What are causes, types and treatment options for psoriasis?



Psoriasis is a chronic and long-term disease that causes a thick, silvery skin rash, usually on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and elbows. It can appear anywhere on the body but commonly on arms, legs, torso, neck, and scalp.

Psoriasis is a disorder that can cause patches of thick, red, itchy, scaly, and thickened skin.

People with psoriasis develop a flare-up, where the symptoms become severe and lasting.

This typically happens several times in the course of a month, although there may be times when a flare-up lasts for months.

Doctors refer to this as a plaque or plaques, and people with psoriasis may develop plaques on their elbows, knees, scalp, or back.

Plaques or plaques can be extremely itchy and cause permanent damage to the skin.

Psoriasis is thought to result from an abnormal response of the immune system to the proteins that make up the keratin protein layer of skin.

Psoriasis can affect people of any age, and most often the first symptoms are red, dry patches of skin. However, it may start to develop at any age.

Some types of psoriasis are more likely to affect children. This is due to environmental triggers or genetic predisposition to the disease.

It may also be possible to develop psoriasis in babies while their immune systems are developing, although this is uncommon.

Causes

Psoriasis is most commonly an autoimmune disease, and psoriatic arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease.

Psoriasis is most often caused by an overactive immune system attacking the body.

Osteoarthritis and autoimmune diseases can also be involved in psoriasis. However, people with psoriasis may also have underlying health conditions that make it more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.

Types of psoriasis

People who have psoriasis are most often suffering from one or several types of psoriasis, depending on their level of exposure to the external environment.

The three main types of psoriasis include:

Plantar psoriasis

Plantar psoriasis is the most common form of the condition.

Plantar psoriasis affects approximately 80 to 85 percent of people with psoriasis. It starts at the bottom of the foot and appears on the toes and on the instep.

The skin lesions are dry, scaly, and itchy and may sometimes crack.

It is caused by inflammation of the moist-weather layer at the bottom of the feet. As well as this dryness, plantar psoriasis can cause a thickened skin, a flat or bag-like foot, and skin that bleeds easily, similar to sunburn.

While many people with plantar psoriasis may be unaware of the condition, some people may notice an inflammatory rash in their foot. Others may notice foot pain, limping, or difficulties with walking.

Humansx

Humansx is an autoimmune disorder, and it affects about 25 percent of people with psoriasis. Humanx is one of the most common types of psoriasis, and it affects most people with psoriasis during a phase of psoriatic arthritis.

The disease mainly affects the skin. Humansx typically begins with skin redness, and over time, it causes itchy, scaly, and raised patches.

Amebic

Amebic is a rare type of psoriasis that involves patches of raised red skin. It typically develops after a break in the skin. Amebic is caused by high levels of a certain type of white blood cells, known as T-cells.

If the skin is exposed to the sunlight, the T-cells may produce a chemical known as eosinophil. The eosinophils then attack the skin, leading to lesions. Amebic psoriasis affects about 1 in 200,000 people.

Diagnosis of psoriasis



Doctors diagnose psoriasis by observing the symptoms and medical history of the person. They will conduct a physical exam and may also use X-rays and imaging techniques to observe the skin of the affected areas.

They will discuss the results of the physical exam with the patient and may use:

blood tests

skin biopsies

endoscopic or ultrasound imaging to check for inflammation and damage

genetic testing

According to a survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), most people with psoriasis are diagnosed by their dermatologist.

If doctors suspect psoriasis based on symptoms, they may order laboratory tests, such as a skin biopsy, to check for high levels of white blood cells. These high levels indicate an autoimmune disorder.

The NPF survey also shows that many people with psoriasis also notice some changes in the appearance of their skin before symptoms occur.

Dietary considerations for patients with psoriasis

People with psoriasis should follow a diet that is low in sugar, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and low in red meat.

Probiotics can also help to regulate the immune system. According to the Psoriasis Foundation, people with psoriasis may benefit from:

lactobacillus probiotic

Licorice extract

fatty fish

Full-fat dairy products

High-quality probiotics can also be found in:

kimchi

broccoli

acorn

blueberries



lacto-fermented soy products, such as tempeh

aloe vera

monk fruit

According to the NPF, those with psoriasis should also avoid:

edible food products that contain gluten, which is found in rye bread, rye crackers, and rye pancakes

lactic acid bacteria, which are in yogurt

beer

Treatment

Due to the complexity of psoriatic skin conditions, there are currently no treatments available that specifically treat psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

However, the immune system disorders can be treated using many treatments that target the immune system, including:

antihistamines

injections of anti-inflammatories

anticonvulsants, which block the release of certain neurotransmitters that cause inflammation

surgery, when psoriatic arthritis prevents joint movement

sedatives, such as ketamine

Physicians may prescribe many different treatments, including medication, to manage the disease. There are, however, some lifestyle modifications that may help to manage psoriasis, including:

gratitude for the skin that people have

sharing helpful information with others

reducing stress

avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke

avoiding alcohol

raising the leg or keeping the arm straight when sitting down

drinking plenty of water



eating a food which is containing omega-3 fatty acids

slowing down when doing household tasks

These lifestyle changes will not change the genetics of a person's psoriasis, but they can help to make a person feel better.