Symptoms & Causes
Causes:
There is no definite cause of psoriasis; however there is evidence of an autoimmune response in which the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own healthy cells. In this process there is abnormally fast growth of the cells leading to thickened skin & excessive shedding of the scales.
This auto-immunity tends to run in families and a genetic background has been verified in many cases over and over. There may be a family history of any kind of auto immune disease in the patient’s family, not necessarily of psoriasis.
Other factors that may trigger Psoriasis:
- Physical & Emotional Stress
- Seasonal changes: Winter months may cause an increase in dryness and may aggravate psoriasis.
- Environmental factors - Skin irritants, local trauma, alcohol, steroid withdrawal and others…
- Bacterial infections
Symptoms:
Psoriasis has a unique presentation in most cases along with the Common symptomsof the disease. The symptoms usually vary from person to person in terms of the location, spread, severity and duration of the lesions. Most common features can be seen in many cases are:
- Red, thickened patches/lesions on the skin which are called as plaques
- Patches are covered with silvery scales
- Itching of the lesions is very common along with pain sometimes
- Excessive dryness may cause cracked skin and bleeding
- When disease is in active stage, scratching or cutting the skin may give rise to new lesions at such areas
- Nails may be thickened, pitted or ridged.
- In case of joint affection, there is swelling and stiffness of joints
Types of Psoriasis:
Psoriasis vulgaris (Plaque Psoriasis): The commonest type of psoriasis. Almost 90% of psoriasis patients have this type and this presents as red raised patches with silvery scales.
Guttate psoriasis: Many a times develops after chronic throat infection particularly streptococcal infections. Small, rain-drop like lesions are seen to develop on the trunk and limbs in this type.
Pustular psoriasis: The lesions in this kind of psoriasis are filled with pus along with having the other peculiar characteristics.
Inverse Psoriasis: Usually seen in the folds of the skin particularly under the breasts, in armpits, near genitals, under buttocks and under abdominal folds etc...
Erythrodermic psoriasis: It’s a rare and serious form of psoriasis. In severe cases, the patient may develop dehydration, fever, infection requiring hospital admission.
Nail psoriasis: Affection of nails from both fingers and toes is seen. Nails appears as discoloured thickened, pitted & may crumble or detach from the nail-bed.
Scalp psoriasis: Very commonly seen in the community & affects almost half the people who develop skin psoriasis. In these cases, the scalp has dry scaly skin with heavily crusted plaque areas which peels off in clusters.
Psoriatic arthritis: Joint affection is seen in about 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis. Symptoms include swelling, stiffness and pain in the affected joints. This condition should be ruled with other blood investigations from other joint diseases.
Palmo-plantar psoriasis: Typically the lesions are seen on the palms and soles of the patient in this variety.
Psoriasis can lead to many emotional problems such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger, irritability
- Embarrassment
Treatment of psoriasis must be targeted to deal with all of these emotional affections as well.
Myths About Psoriasis
1st MYTH: Psoriasis has no cure
FACT: Psoriasis can be cured if treated early and when the condition is limited to a few patches. Even chronic, widespread lesions can be cured or put into remission. There is no need to lose hope as homeopathy has helped thousands of cases at Preet Homeopathy centres, since 1923. We have been refining our method of treating this incurable ailment.
2nd MYTHS: Psoriasis is contagious
FACT: Be rest assured that psoriasis is non communicable condition and does not spread merely by touching someone. Though not contagious it has strong genetic predisposition so your child may be predisposed (genetics) to this ailment. We do recommend that children be treated as soon as possible in order to have a complete chance or recovery and cure.
3rd MYTH: Corticosteroids are effective
FACT: Corticosteroids can be effective initially. However, they are not effective in the long term and may produce several adverse effects such as: skin atrophy, hypo-pigmentation, stretch marks and systemic absorption. Also, withdrawal of topical corticosteroids can lead to a rebound phenomenon with worsening of the condition to greater extent.
4th MYTH: Natural skin creams are useful against psoriasis
FACT: External creams only help in lubricating the dry plaques and offer temporary relief. Majority of creams labelled as ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ may contain coal tar derivatives, salicylic acid etc which are not herbal forms.
Diagnosis
Psoriasis can mostly identify based on the presenting signs and symptoms and examination of the lesions. Where there is involvement of joints, X-ray of the affected joint may be taken.
Certain blood tests may also be required to rule out other forms of joint diseases. Throat culture may be required to look for streptococcal infection in cases of guttate psoriasis. Certain conditions that may have an appearance similar to psoriasis include:
- Eczema
- Onychomycosis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Lichen planus
- Pityriasis rosea
- Ringworm (tinea corporis)
Psoriasis can be graded as:
Mild – Few, scattered, small areas of involvement (about two-thirds of people have mild disease)
Moderate – More widespread disease affecting larger areas, sometimes affecting the joints
Severe – Most of the skin surface is affected, sometimes affecting the joints.