Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects many people. It is characterized by small or large, round or oval, red patches with thick white scales. These patches are sometimes itchy and may hurt or bleed. Psoriasis occurs because the body produces skin at a faster rate than normal. New skin cells usually can take 4 weeks to replace the old skin cells; for patients with psoriasis this process occurs within days rather than weeks. Psoriasis most commonly appears on the elbows, knees and scalp, but may appear anywhere on the body. We offer many treatment and therapy options to help manage the condition.
Facts About Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects about 7.5 million Americans, or 2-4% of the population. The appearance of Psoriasis is bimodal; it appears at two main age groups. The condition can appear in a person’s early twenties (20’s) or their fifties (50’s). It may appear in children, however, it is less common.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes rapid accumulation of of skin cells. This accumulation or build-up of cells causes scaling on the skin surface. Erythema, also known as redness, around the scales is fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Occasionally cracking and bleeding occurs.
Psoriasis is not an infection and it is not contagious. A person cannot “get it” by touching another person with the condition. It is genetically linked (it is in the genes), but the heritability (how a person inherits the condition) is not yet understood.
Scales typically develop on joints, such elbows and knees. They may develop anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, neck, scalp and face. Less common types of psoriasis affect the nails, and the area around genitals.
Plaque Psoriasis: The most common type — about 80 percent of people with Psoriasis have the plaque-variety. It causes red, inflamed patches that cover areas of the skin. These patches are often covered with silvery scales or plaques. These plaques are commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp. Removing these scales may cause bleeding and cracking.
Guttate Psoriasis: Usually triggered by an infection and causes small pink spots. The most common sites for Guttate Psoriasis include the torso, arms, and legs. These spots are rarely thick or raised like Plaque Psoriasis.
Pustular Psoriasis: More common in adults. It causes white, pus-filled blisters and broad areas of red, inflamed skin. Pustular Psoriasis is typically localized to smaller areas of the body, such as the hands or feet, but it can be widespread.
Inverse Psoriasis: Causes bright areas of red, shiny, inflamed skin. Patches of inverse psoriasis develop under armpits or breasts, in the groin, or around skinfolds in the genitals.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis often covers large sections of the body at once and is very rare. The skin almost appears sunburned. Scales that develop often slough off in large sections or sheets. It’s not uncommon for a person with this type of psoriasis to run a fever or become very ill.
Psoriasis patients have a Forty Percent (40%) chance of developing Psoriatic Arthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune arthritis affecting the joints, and tendons. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which may flare and subside. Many people with the condition are affected by morning stiffness. Even mild skin psoriasis can have a significant degree of arthritis. The joint deformities of Psoriatic Arthritis may be irreversible.
People with psoriasis often suffer from comorbidities; conditions that may occur:
- The incidence of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, two types of inflammatory bowel disease, is 3.8 to 7.5 times greater in psoriasis patients than in the general population.
- Patients with psoriasis also have an increased incidence of lymphoma, heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Depression and suicide, smoking, and alcohol consumption are also more common in psoriasis patients.
- Psoriasis can have a substantial psychological and emotional impact on patients.
- The prevalence of depression in patients with psoriasis may be as high as 50 percent. Studies have shown that psoriasis patients experience physical and mental disability just like patients with other chronic illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
Effects of Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects far more than just the skin. The condition can have a severe and measurable affect on the quality of life. Affected patients may experience the following:
- Sleep loss from pain
- Work Loss
- Sexual Dyspareunia (uncomfortable sexual relations)
- Depression
Treatment Options
There is no cure at this time. Treatments aim to reduce inflammation, scale development, slow the accumulation of skin cells, and remove plaques. Treatments fall into three categories: topical treatments, systemic medications, and light therapy.
Topical Treatments
Creams and ointments applied directly to the skin can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate psoriasis.
Topical treatments include:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Topical retinoids
- Anthralin
- Vitamin D analogues
- Salicylic acid
- Moisturizers
Systemic Medications
People with moderate to severe psoriasis, and those who have not responded well to other treatment types, may need to use oral, subcutaneously injected or intravenously infused medications. The medications include:
- Biologic therapy
- Oral immune suppressants (Methotrexate, Cyclopsporine, Dapsone, Mycophenolate Mofetil, etc)
- Oral Retinoids (not in females of child bearing potential)
Light Therapy
Therapeutic doses UVA and UVB light may be helpful in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis. UVA and UVB is delivered in a phototherapy booth or by a hand held laser or LED source.
Most people with moderate to severe psoriasis will benefit from a combination of treatments. This type of therapy uses more than one of the treatment types to reduce symptoms. Some people may use the same treatment their entire lives. Others may need to change treatments occasionally if their skin stops responding to what they’re using.
