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What is Psoriasis?
By Alfred James
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are basically five types,
each with unique signs and symptoms. Between 10 percent and 30 percent of people
who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called Psoriatic
Arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80 percent of
people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of
raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques,
frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. However, the
plaques can occur anywhere on the body.
Types of Psoriasis
- Plaque psoriasis. The patches most commonly seen are called plaques. They
especially affect the back of the elbows and the front of the knees and the back.
- Guttate psoriasis is many small patches of psoriasis, all over the body, and
often happens after a throat infection.
- Flexural psoriasis causes red, shiny areas in skin folds eg under breasts,
between buttocks etc.
- Pustular psoriasis. Smaller, circular patches, filled with pus, appear on the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This can sometimes cause a fever, and
may need treatment with an antibiotic.
- Scalp psoriasis. Scaling and flakes of the scalp, often particularly
affecting the hair margins.
A serious, but rare, complication of psoriasis is erythroderma, where large areas
of the skin become hot, red, and dry. This is one of the few emergencies involving
skin conditions. If you suffer from this your doctor will admit you to hospital.
Are There Treatments?
There are many treatment options that can clear psoriasis for a period of time.
Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages, and what works for one patient
may not be effective for another. Board-certified dermatologists have the
medical training and experience needed to determine the most appropriate
treatments for each patient.
Psoriasis treatments fall into three categories:
- Topical (applied to the skin) - Mild to moderate psoriasis
- Phototherapy (light, usually ultraviolet, applied to the skin) -
Moderate to severe psoriasis
- Systemic (taken orally or by injection or infusion) - Moderate,
severe or disabling psoriasis
Some topicals are messy and may stain clothing and skin. Phototherapy can
require two to five weekly visits to a dermatologist's office or psoriasis
clinic for several weeks. Many of the systemic medications have serious side
effects and must be combined or rotated with other therapies to maximize
effectiveness and minimize side effects. Research is being conducted to find
therapies that provide safe, effective, easy-to-use treatment options that
provide long-term relief.
Today, there are many different treatments to help control psoriasis. Some can
be found over the counter at a drugstore, while others require a prescription
from your doctor. No single treatment works for everyone.
The goal is to find a treatment that works the best with the fewest side
effects. Your doctor will look at what kind of psoriasis you have and recommend
the treatment regimen that is best for you. We urge you to find out more about
Psoriasis and what will work for you today!
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition and CAN be cured! We urge you to
find out more about Psoriasis at
Psoriasis
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