Psoriasis:
It is a chronic, non-contagious skin disease that affects the skin and occurs due to an increase in the activity of the body’s immune system, which causes rapid growth of skin cells, as it is the nature of the skin to renew every 3-4 weeks, but in the case of psoriasis, this process takes approximately 3-7 days, i.e., people with psoriasis have an overproduction of skin cells, which results in the accumulation of skin layers and the appearance of psoriasis symptoms. Children and adolescents can be affected by it, but it often affects adults.
Types of psoriasis:
There are several types of psoriasis, and people may develop one or both types or the type may change and may develop into another, more severe type. Types include:
- Scaly psoriasis: It is the most common type of psoriasis. It causes the appearance of thin, dry, and red layers of skin covered with silvery scales. The spots usually develop symmetrically on the body and tend to appear on the scalp, trunk, and peripheries, especially the elbows and knees.
- Guttate psoriasis: This type often affects young people and children, and is often irritated by a bacterial infection (such as a streptococcal infection that affects the throat), and appears in the trunk and limbs.
- Pustular psoriasis: Pus-filled bubbles (pustules) form on the surface of the skin, and appear in different forms in different areas of the body. It usually affects the hands and feet, and these blisters can crack, causing painful cracks in the skin.
- Inverse psoriasis: It appears in the form of large, red spots on the skin, and appears in the folded areas of the skin (such as armpits, thighs, and under the breasts), and the condition gets worse with friction and sweating.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis (rare): Characterized by red, scaly skin over most parts of the body. It can be caused by sunburn or certain medications (such as corticosteroids). It often develops in people with a different type of psoriasis that cannot be controlled, and it can be Serious.
- Nail psoriasis: Some people with psoriasis suffer from nail problems, which appear in the form of small pits or scratches on the surface of the nails. The nails may develop a dark brown color or may separate from the nail base.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Some people with psoriasis develop a type of arthritis, which often appears in the form of pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint, especially the finger joints, or pain in the ankle.
Causes:
Although the main cause of psoriasis is not clear, the immune system and genes play a major role in its development.
Irritants:
Psoriasis can be irritated or worsened by several factors, which may include:
- Skin injury (such as skin wounds, sunburn, etc.).
- Psychological stress.
- Streptococcal bacterial infection in the throat.
- Smoking.
- Use of some medications (such as lithium, prednisone, and hydroxychloroquine).
- Weather changes, especially exposure to cold and drought.
Symptoms:
Psoriasis symptoms vary from person to person but there are some common symptoms:
- The appearance of a thick, red layer of skin covered with a silvery, flaky layer that may cause itching, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, torso, and soles of the feet.
- Thick and curly nails may be observed.
- Dryness and cracking of the affected skin, causing itching or bleeding.
- Some patients suffer from “psoriatic arthritis,” which is characterized by stiff, swollen, and painful joints.
When to see a doctor:
- When feeling pain and discomfort.
- When daily task performance is affected.
- Joint problems (such as pain, swelling, difficulty performing daily tasks).
- Symptoms did not improve despite the use of medications.
Treatment:
There is no treatment that completely cures psoriasis, but medications are used to control the symptoms, which usually vary depending on the extent of the skin affected, the severity of the condition, and the area affected by psoriasis. Medicines are classified into 3 categories:
- Topical medications: such as creams and ointments.
- Phototherapy: where the skin is exposed to a specific type of ultraviolet rays.
- Oral or injected medications.
Prevention:
There is currently no way to prevent psoriasis, but there are guidelines to help control it and prevent its irritation.
Instructions for people with psoriasis:
- Make sure to adhere to medications according to the doctor’s instructions.
- Maintain skin hydration on a regular basis.
- Maintain a healthy weight; because obesity exacerbates the symptoms of psoriasis.
- Reduce the duration of showering from 5 minutes to 15 minutes or less.
- Shower with warm water and use soap that contains moisturizing oils or a type specifically for sensitive skin, while avoiding exfoliants.
- After showering, the skin should be gently dried and intense moisturizing lotions (fragrance-free) should be applied while the skin is still wet.
- When feeling itchy, it is preferable to apply a moisturizer or a cool, wet cloth to reduce itching.
- Keep nails trimmed periodically.
- Avoid wearing artificial nails if you have nail psoriasis.
- Try not to get sunburned, as even a mild sunburn can aggravate existing psoriasis and cause new psoriasis to form.
- Quit Smoking.
- Control psychological stress.
- Avoid irritants (such as stress, cold weather, skin injuries, some medications, and infections).
When there is psoriasis on the head:
- Gently comb the hair with a comb and avoid scratching or scraping the scalp.
- Be careful when using hair styling devices, make sure they do not touch the scalp, and limit the number of times you use them.
- Avoid pulling the hair too tightly; To prevent scalp irritation, it can also cause hair loss over time.
- Consult a doctor before dyeing hair.