WHAT IS PSORIASIS?

Psoriasis is a chronic disorder marked by raised area of

thickened skin and lesions made up of dead skins. Affect people of any age, but is most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35. Can appears suddenly or slowly. Also goes away and then flares up again repeatedly over time. Psoriasis seems to be an inherited disorder. In general, psoriasis may be severe in persons who have a weakened immune system. This may include persons who have AIDS & Cancer .

 Commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly appearing on the first layer of epidermis. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silverywhite appearance. Frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees. But, CAN AFFECT ANY AREA.

1.

TYPES OF PSORIASIS Plaque Psoriasis (Psoriasis vulgaris) :

It is most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80-90% of people Appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white patches called plaques.

2. Flexural Psoriasis (Inverse psoriasis) :

It appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occur skin folds particularly around the genitals and armpits.

3. Guttate Psoriasis :
Characterized by numerous small round spots. The numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body.

4. Pustular Psoriasis :
Appears as raised bumps that are filled with non infectious pus. The skin under and surrounding the pustules are red and tender. It can be localized to the hands and feet and generalized with wide spread patches on any part of the body.

5. Nail Psoriasis :

Produce a variety of changes in the appearance of finger to nails. Discoloring under the nail plate. Pitting of the nails. Thickening of the skin under the nails.

6. Psoriatic Arthritis :
Involves joint and connective tissue inflamed.

7. Erythrodermis Psoriasis :
Involve wide spread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It is accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain.

CAUSES:
It is not known. But its believed to have genetic component

FACTORS
Smoking Stress Alcohol consumption

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Small flattened bumps of skin.

Large thickened plaques of raised skin. Red patches Pink dry skin Prominent itching Joint pain Stiffness

TREATMENT Three treatment options are used for patients:

Topical medications Body-wide Phototherapy