Psoriasis: types, causes, and symptoms

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin; this means that the immune system attacks the body instead of protecting it. Psoriasis promotes the proliferation of skin cells up to 10 times faster than normal. Usually, skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. Eventually, they fall. The typical life cycle of a skin cell is one month.

In people with psoriasis, this production process can occur in just a few days. Because of this, skin cells do not have time to fall. Psoriasis causes your skin to develop uneven red patches covered with white scales, causing itching and pain. Sometimes these patches will crack and bleed.

Psoriasis has a variable evolution; it improves and worsens periodically. It is not uncommon for psoriasis to disappear spontaneously and remain in remission. Many people notice a worsening of symptoms in the cold winter months.

Psoriasis affects all races and both sexes and usually occurs in early adulthood. For most people, psoriasis affects only a few areas of the body. In severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body. Psoriasis usually occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lumbar region. It can grow anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, neck, face. Uncommon types of psoriasis affect the nails, mouth, and the area around the genitals.

Psoriasis is a noncontagious disease and is not transmitted from one person to another.

TYPES OF PSORIASIS

There are five types of psoriasis:

1. Plaque or vulgaris psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80-90% of people with psoriasis have this type. It is manifested by the appearance of thick skin, covered with, white, silver, red scales. These plaques often appear on the elbows, knees, lumbar region, and scalp. The plaques are usually 1 to 10 centimeters wide but can also be larger. If you scratch them, the symptoms get worse.

2. Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is common in childhood or young adulthood and is the second most common type, affecting about 8% of people with psoriasis. This type of psoriasis causes small red spots mainly on the torso, arms, and legs, but can also appear on the face and scalp. The spots are small and elongated and are not usually as thick as in the case of plaque psoriasis.

3. Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is a severe form of psoriasis and is more common in adults. It develops in the form of several white pustules surrounded by inflamed red skin. Pustular psoriasis is usually located on the hands or feet but can spread to other areas.

There are three types of pustular psoriasis: Von Zumbusch or generalized pustular psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, and acropustulosis. Each of the three forms of pustular psoriasis can have different symptoms.

4. Inverse or flexural psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis is manifested by red, glowing, inflamed skin. It affects the areas of the body where the skin folds: the skin under the armpit, in the genital area, under the breasts, and the perianal area. It is sometimes misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection.

5. Erythrodermic or exfoliative psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe and very rare type of psoriasis. This type can be life-threatening because the body cannot control its temperature. This type covers large areas of the body and the skin looks sunburned. It is not uncommon for a person with this type of psoriasis to have a fever or get sick.

CAUSES OF PSORIASIS

No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe it is a combination of several factors.

The following factors may increase the risk of psoriasis:

• Genes and the immune system: Scientists have discovered about 25 genes that are different in people with psoriasis.
• Hormonal changes: The disease often occurs during puberty. Menopause can also trigger it. During pregnancy, the symptoms may improve or even disappear.
• Alcohol: People who drink alcohol have a higher risk, especially young men.
• Stress
• Lithium used to treat bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.
• High blood pressure and heart drugs, including propranolol and other beta-blockers.
• Antimalarial drugs, including chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and quinacrine.
• Indomethacin used to treat inflammation.
• HIV
• Other infections: Streptococcus, earache, bronchitis, tonsillitis, cold, flu or skin problems
• Sunlight
• Skin lesions: Cuts, scratches, insect bites, infections
• Excess weight
• Weather conditions: Dry air, lack of sun and cold temperatures can make symptoms worse.

SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS

The symptoms of psoriasis differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis you have.

The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Red and inflamed skin
• Itchy, painful, dry skin that may crack or bleed
• Pain and burning around the lesions
• Problems with fingernails and toenails, including discoloration
• Scaling of the scalp
• Painful and swollen joints

The condition can cause severe symptoms for a few days or weeks, and then they go away. If you do not have active signs of the disease, then the disease is in remission. That does not mean psoriasis would not return, but you do not have any symptoms.

Psoriasis can also cause symptoms of mental stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

If you want to find out about ovarian cancer, check out our article on this topic: Ovarian cancer: causes and symptoms.

[Photo from Pixabay]