A Problematic Skin Disorder

About one in 100 people are affected with psoriasis, an embarrassing immune-mediated (conditions resulting from abnormal activity from the body's immune system) skin disease that affects the skin and joints. It commonly produces red scaly patches called psoriatic plagues that appear on the skin. The red patches are actually areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. When the skin accumulates at the infected sites rapidly, it produces a silvery-white appearance on the skin. The areas that normally accumulate plagues are the elbows and knees, but plague can also accumulate on the genitalia and scalp. It is important to note that although psoriasis is not contagious, it can occur in families.

Although the cause of psoriasis is not known, it is believed to have a genetic component. It has been found that major factors play a role in setting off a reaction from psoriasis. These factors include stress, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Because the condition of psoriasis is so severe, it can cause depression and other psychological damages such as low-self esteem issues. Due to this, analyzing the quality of life issues when examining the severity of the disease with each patient is extremely important. However, because the disease itself is so damaging and recurrent, treating the disease is a challenge in itself.Types of Psoriasis

There are mainly six variants of the disease that include plague, pustular, guttate, and flexural psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis (or psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form of psoriasis. It creates thick silvery plague areas on the skin and it affects around 90% of individuals suffering from this disease.

Flexural psoriasis (or inverse psoriasis) takes place in the folds of skin and it appears as inflamed smooth patches.

Guttate psoriasis is associated with streptococcal throat infection and is characterized by small oval spots.

Pustular psoriasis is normally shown as raised bumps filled with non-infectious pus. The skin around this area is red and tender.

Nail psoriasis produces a discoloration of the nail, crumbling of the nail, lines going across the nail, thickening skin under the nail, loosening and crumbling nails and a variety of changes for the finger and toe nails.

Psoriatric arthritis is an inflammation of the joint and connective tissue. Roughly 15% of psoriasis sufferers experience this.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is where the majority of the body surface experiences an inflammation and exfoliation of the skin.Diagnosis

Diagnosis normally occurs after a thorough examination of the skin. There aren't any special blood tests or procedures available for diagnosis. A scraping of the skin or a skin biopsy can take place to rule out other skin disorders and confirm diagnosis. If the patient test positive for psoriasis, a clubbed Rete Pegs will appear on the biopsy.Treatment

A trial-and-error approach is normally used when treating patients because results and effectiveness varies for every individual. Treatment weighs heavy with the type of psoriasis, location, severity, and extent of the disease. Dermatologists also consider the age, quality of life, gender, attitude towards the risk of medication, and comorbidity of the patient. If nothing else, it is agreed that bath solutions and moisturizers can help sooth the skin and reduce dryness. Ointments and cream containing coal tar, Vitamin D, corticosteroids, retinoids, and dithranol are commonly used.

The copyright of the article A Problematic Skin Disorder in Psoriasis is owned by Faith Redwine. Permission to republish A Problematic Skin Disorder in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Previously printed on August 25, 2007 on Suite 101 by Faith S. Redwine.