What is Psoriasis?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a fairly frequent non-contagious chronic condition that affects the skin, causing peeling and reddish spots that mainly appear on the elbows, knees, head, and chest, producing severe itching.

Although in some cases it is permanent and only the symptoms are controlled, in others it can be due to temporary crises and disappear for long periods to reactivate later.

It is considered that this disease arises from some immune system dysfunction caused by genetic and environmental factors that produce accelerated skin regeneration.

Some of the factors that trigger psoriasis include:

  • Stress crisis.
  • Strep throat or skin infections.
  • Active or passive smoking.
  • Low temperatures and the drop in relative humidity.
  • Sunburn, wounds, and skin lesions.
  • Alcoholism.
  • Some drugs.

The areas affected by psoriasis can be very small or spread widely over various parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms Psoriasis

The most frequent symptoms include:

  • Dry skin that causes intense burning and itching.
  • Red spots that peel off easily.
  • Thickening and grooving of the nails.
  • Joint numbness and swelling.

Types of psoriasis:

  • Plaque: it is the most common and appears with reddish spots with scales on top.
  • Guttata: it usually appears due to bacterial infections in children and adolescents, producing spots with drop-shaped scales on various parts of the body, mainly in arms and legs.
  • In nails: it alters the physiology causing malformations, color alterations, and abnormal growths.
  • Inverse: it develops in areas that are not exposed such as buttocks, breasts, and groin.
  • Pus-filled: produces spots that cover large areas of skin containing pus or in small areas of the palms of the hands and feet.
  • Erythrodermic: it rarely appears, manifesting as a single reddish spot that spreads throughout the body, causing intense itching and burning.

Psoriasis can affect anyone regardless of age or sex, but heredity, continuous stress, and active or passive smoking are some risk factors.

Possible complications:

  • Diabetes.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Arthritis.
  • Cardiovascular pathologies.
  • Autoimmune disorders.
  • Depression and low self-esteem.
  • Eye ailments.
  • Obesity.

Diagnosis and treatment Psoriasis

After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will perform a thorough dermatological examination and collect a skin biopsy from the affected area.

When the type of psoriasis you suffer from has been identified, the treatment will be established, which seeks to stop the accelerated development of skin cells, suppressing spots and scales through oral or intramuscular drugs, topical creams, and phototherapy.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Fuentes: 

  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • cun.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Cárdenas-Hernández ML, Lacy-Niebla RM, Rodríguez-Henríquez P, et al. Cambios ultrasonográficos tempranos de artritis psoriásica en pacientes con psoriasis y psoriasis ungueal. Un estudio comparativo con sujetos sin psoriasis. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2021;19(1):90-91.
  • Borbolla SI, Zertuche DL, Díaz GEJ, et al. Psoriasis e implicaciones cardiovasculares. Acta Med. 2021;19(2):253-257. doi:10.35366/100450. 
  • Luna CE, Flores CAA, Bonilla HR, et al. Abordaje diagnóstico y manejo de psoriasis en atención primaria. Aten Fam. 2021;28(1):54-61.
  • López PN, Tablada RME, Jacas PAL, et al. Factores de riesgo y comorbilidades en pacientes con psoriasis. MediSan. 2019;23(03):435-446.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.