Skin diseases can be very problematic. Whether minor or acute, painful or painless, any skin disease requires special care and attention. Since today is World Psoriasis Day, know more about the skin disease called Psoriasis, its symptoms, types and some treatment methods to curb the growth of certain symptoms.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an auto-immune skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches. These patches are generally formed on the knees, elbows and scalp. It is a chronic disease with no cure. Psoriasis causes the skin cells to multiply 10 times faster than average and tends to develop during the early years of adulthood. In terms of occurrence, it comes and goes. It flares up for a few weeks or months, causing redness and itchy patches of skin, then subsides for a while only to reoccur after a few weeks or months. Treatments are available to help you manage some of the symptoms and you can incorporate these changes and habits to help you cope better with Psoriasis. 

Know the Signs

The signs and symptoms of Psoriasis vary from person to person. Psoriasis patches range from a few spots with dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas of your body. Common signs and symptoms are:

• Red patches formed on the skin with silver-coloured scales. The dry and cracked skin may even itch or bleed.

• Fingernails and toenails get discoloured. In some cases, nails can also crumble or get detached from the nail bed.

• Swollen and stiff joints that can make it difficult for you to move around.

Know Your Type

• Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common form of Psoriasis. It causes dry, raised, red skin patches covered with silvery scales. These patches usually appear on elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

• Guttate Psoriasis: This type of Psoriasis is primarily seen in young adults and children. It is triggered or activated by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It's marked by small, drop-shaped, scaling patches on the arms and legs.

• Inverse Psoriasis: This mainly affects the skin folds on the groin, buttocks and breasts, caused by a fungal infection. Inverse Psoriasis causes patches of red skin that worsen with friction and sweating.

• Pustular Psoriasis: This type of Psoriasis is a rare form and causes pus-filled lesions occurring in big patches on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.

• Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is the least common type of Psoriasis. It can cover your entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch and burn intensely.

How to Treat Psoriasis

Although incurable, certain symptoms of Psoriasis can be treated and make the skin disease more manageable with a mix of home remedies and prescribed medications. Medication needs to be taken after consulting a doctor and in case of some medications, with a legal prescription. Here are some ways to treat Psoriasis:

• Steroid-based creams are the most common form of topical treatment (rubbed directly on affected skin). It helps in decreasing inflammation, relieving itching, and blocking the production of cells that are being overproduced in Psoriasis.

• In some cases, the doctor may prescribe oral medication or injections that have a direct impact on your immune system. Methotrexate, oral retinoids and different biologics can be employed to treat the auto-immune skin disease.

• Prescription retinoids are another example of topical treatment used for Psoriasis. This form of medication contains a synthetic version of Vitamin A, essential for treating Psoriasis. Not as strong and effective as steroid-based creams, but it is useful for treating mild to moderate forms of Psoriasis.

• A healthy lifestyle also plays an important role while dealing with Psoriasis. Vices like cigarettes and alcohol and mental troubles such as stress and depression can have an impact on Psoriasis too. By eating healthy, exercising or practising yoga regularly and staying away from health-deteriorating items.

In cases where skin diseases turn life-threatening or require hospitalization, it is better to have health insurance that can cover the various medical expenses.

Reference Links:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840
• https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics
• https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-treatment
• https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/treat-symptoms-home

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