Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a rapid skin disease, non contagious, initiated by abnormal cell reproduction causing the skin to go red, thick and dry. Usually affecting elbows, knees and scalp, it can be either very severe or mild. When mild it is hardly pointed out as a disease whereas when severe there whole body is covered with red, scaly thick skin causing them embarrassment in public places. Psoriasis is considered a non-curable, long-term (chronic) skin condition. It has a variable course, periodically improving and worsening. Sometimes the condition is worsened in winters or improvement is seen in the summers or increased sunlight exposure. This disease is not limited to males or females but occurs in all sexes and races of all kind and at any age.
There are many kinds of Psoriasis; Plaque psoriasis, Nail psoriasis, Scalp psoriasis, Guttate psoriasis, Inverse psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Erythrodermic psoriasis, Psoriatic arthritis.
The cause of Psoriasis is still fully unknown but researches have drawn out their own conclusion as to merely guess what it can be. Psoriasis starts with the immune system. We all have T cells (a type of white blood cell) which usually protect us from infection and disease by attacking bacteria and viruses. In the case of Psoriasis, our T cells start attacking or own cells instead. Our body immediately responds by producing more skin cells. A normal skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days but a psoriasis cell will only take 2 to 3 days and the result is an accumulation of dead cells and live cells in visible layers. The final appearance is of raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
The symptoms of Psoriasis may vary from person to person but the common appearance and symptoms of Psoriasis are the following:
- Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
- Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
- Itching, burning or soreness
- Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
- Swollen and stiff joints
Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. Mild cases of psoriasis may be a nuisance; more-severe cases can be painful, disfiguring and disabling.
Genital lesions, especially on the head of the penis, are common. Psoriasis in moist areas like the navel or area between the buttocks (intergluteal folds) may look like flat red patches. These atypical appearances may be confused with other skin conditions like fungal infections, yeast infections, skin irritation, or bacterial Staph infections.
Nails show a small pit appearance or a yellowish-brown separation on the nail bed known as ‘oily spots’. Nail psoriasis can easily be confused as fungi nail infection.
On the scalp, it may look like severe dandruff with dry flakes and red areas of skin. It may be difficult to tell the difference between scalp psoriasis and seborrhea (dandruff). However, the treatment is often very similar for both conditions.