Psoriasis

Read about Psoriasis presented in simple easy to understand language

Psoriasis is a kind of skin diseases or it is an inflammatory skin condition which affects mainly the skin and the joints. The common cause of the Psoriasis is the red scaly patches on the skin. These patches are called the psoriasis plaques or lesions. This is the area of the skin where the inflammation and the skin cell production take place. It is the disturbance of the usual replacement process of skin. Usually a skin cell takes around 21 to 28 days to mature during its passage to the surface where a constant invisible shedding of dead cells, as scales, takes place. But the Psoriatic cells are believed to grow within two to three days and in such condition live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead cells in visible layers.

Psoriasis is referred to as a chronic diseases meaning lifelong condition because there is currently no cure for this diseases. People will experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.

10% to 30% of psoriasis sufferers are related to psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation of the joints.

Plaque psoriasis is another type of psoriasis. Around 80% of people who get affected by the psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which usually appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale.

The other types of Psoriasis include Guttate psoriasis appears as a small, red spots on the skin.

Pustular psoriasis appears as a white pustules surrounded by red skin.

Inverse psoriasis appears as a smooth, red lesions form in skin folds.

Erythrodermic psoriasis appears as a widespread redness, severe itching, and pain.

Regardless of the type of psoriasis they cause discomfort. Discomfort like itching, crack and bleed. In the most extreme case, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.

Treatment for Psoriasis depends on the severity and type of psoriasis. Some psoriasis is so unknown that the person is unaware of the condition. A few others develop severe psoriasis that lesions cover most of the body and hospitalization is required.