Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.
There are five main types of psoriasis:
· Erythrodermic -- The skin redness is very intense and covers a large area.
· Guttate -- Small, pink-red spots appear on the skin.
· Inverse -- Skin redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping skin.
· Plaque -- Thick, red patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales.
· Pustular -- White blisters are surrounded by red, irritated skin.
The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). The redness is most often seen on the elbows, knees, and trunk, but it can appear anywhere on the body.Some patients, though, have no dermatological symptoms.
The disorder may affect people of any age, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35. The condition cannot be spread to others. The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Factors that may aggravate psoriasis include stress, withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.
There are five main types of psoriasis:
· Erythrodermic -- The skin redness is very intense and covers a large area.
· Guttate -- Small, pink-red spots appear on the skin.
· Inverse -- Skin redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping skin.
· Plaque -- Thick, red patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales.
· Pustular -- White blisters are surrounded by red, irritated skin.
The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). The redness is most often seen on the elbows, knees, and trunk, but it can appear anywhere on the body.Some patients, though, have no dermatological symptoms.
The disorder may affect people of any age, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35. The condition cannot be spread to others. The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Factors that may aggravate psoriasis include stress, withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.