Psoriasis Symptoms and Clinical Signs Explained

Psoriasis is one of the most unpredictable, baffling, persistent and irritating skin disorders. It is a chronic skin condition caused by an overactive immune system, in which the affected skin cells multiply 10 times faster than the normal. This chronic skin condition is caused by an overactive immune system.

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is related to an immune system problem with T cells and other white blood cells, called neutrophils, in the body. It includes the other factors which trigger the psoriasis are Infections, Stress, Smoking, alcohol consumption, Vitamin Ddeficiency.

It usually occurs in adulthood. It can affect large parts of the body as well. Psoriasis is of different types:

1. Pustular Psoriasis: It causes red and scaly skin with minute pustules on palms and soles.

2. Guttate Psoriasis: It starts in childhood or early adulthood and causes small, red spots on the torso and limbs.

3. Inverse Psoriasis: Bright red, shiny lesions appear in the armpits in this, under the breast and in the groin area.

4. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: It causes redness of the skin and leads to shedding of scales in sheets. It is stimulated by severe burns, infections, and medications and needs to be treated immediately as it might lead to severe illness.

Psoriasis Causes

It is still not known what is the exact cause of psoriasis. However, it can be triggered by a number of factors:

1. Emotional stress

2. Cuts, scrapes, surgery

3. Due to strep infections

4. Blood pressure medications

5. Smoking

6. Drinking of alcohol

7. Due to skin injury

8. Some of the medicines cause psoriasis.

9. Cold, dry weather

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Depending on the type we have the signs and symptoms of psoriasis that can vary. The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

1. In severe cases, the plaques will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas, and rashes or patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales.

2. Itchy, painful skin that can crack or bleed.

3. Small areas of bleeding where the involved skin is scratched.

4. Problems with your fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting; the nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.

5. Scaly plaques on the scalp.

6. Small scaling spots.

7. Discoloration of nails.

8. Abnormal nail growth.

9. Swollen and stiff joints.

10. Red patches on the skin.

11. Severe Itchy and burning skin.

12. Dry, cracked and bleeding skin.

13. Thickened, pitted or ridged nails.

14. Skin covered with thick and silvery scales.

These were some common symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can be developed by anyone, and people with HIV, family history of psoriasis, obesity, affected with infectious diseases, are more prone to developing psoriasis. This disorder can be easily treated if diagnosed in their beginning stage. The treatment includes steroids cream, light therapy, and other oral medications.

Fun Facts

1. Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Common signs and symptoms include, red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales, small scaling spots (commonly seen in children), dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch, pitted or ridged nails, thickened, swollen and stiff joints.

2. Psoriasis affects men and women about equally, and more than 5 million adults deal with the itching and soreness of the skin disorder, about 2% of the U.S. population. Many false perceptions about the condition persist, psoriasis is as common as. Here are some other facts about psoriasis you may not know.

3. The thick red patches, called plaques, that form in the most common type of psoriasis are skin cells that build up but don't die and shed like they should. Skin cells usually take about a month to turn over, but with psoriasis the process only takes a few days. The cells reach the surface before they are ready and your body can’t get rid of them, so they form scales. Your healthcare provider can advise you on medicines that can help soothe and remove them.

4. The most typical places to see psoriasis are on your scalp, knees, hands and feet. Some people may only have one small patch, on an elbow, for instance. Though it can also cover large sections of your body, it rarely affects the face. If it does, it is usually around the eyebrows and forehead. There are special medicines your doctor can give you to treat delicate facial skin.