Psoriasis
\sə-ˈrī-ə-səs\
What is it?
A person can have one or more of the following types of Psoriasis:
- Plaque
- Guttate
- Inverse (flexural psoriasis or intertriginous psoriasis)
- Pustular
- Erythrodermic (also called exfoliative psoriasis)
Plaque Psoriasis
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
What causes it?
Instead of taking several weeks for new cells to get to the skin's surface, it takes a few days.
However...
In other words, Psoriasis is hereditary.
It is not at all contagious, and even those who have a family history of Psoriasis may not be affected by the disease.
Also,
Triggers include:
- Stressful life events
- Strep throat
- Certain medicines, such as lithium, or medicine to prevent malaria
- Cold and/or dry weather
- Cuts or scratches
- Bad sunburns
What are the symptoms?
Each type has it's own symptoms.
- Plaque: raised, reddish patches with "silvery" scales located anywhere on the body, crumbling or pitted nails
- Guttate: small red bumps usually located on the trunk and limbs of the body, usually triggered by strep throat
- Pustular: red, swollen, pus-filled bumps, usually on the palms and soles, accompanied with soreness and pain
- Inverse: smooth, raw-looking patches located where skin touches other skin, accompanied by soreness
- Erythrodermic: looks like a bad sunburn, inability to regulate body temperature, intense pain and itching, rapid heart beat
Additionally, symptoms may come and go. Someone with Psoriasis may not always show the physical symptoms of having the disease. (Like 12 year old Chris)
How can it be treated?
This can be accomplished by using:
- topical therapies such as salicylic acid, coal tar, or topical corticosteroids
- light therapy such as sunlight, UVB phototherapy, or narrow band UVB phototherapy
- oral medications such as retinoids, Methotrexate, or drugs that alter the immune system
How does it affect those that have it?
What is the prognosis for those that have it?
The disease can be very painful, but symptoms do not always show. They can come and go.
In the case of Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Pustular Psoriasis, leaving the disease untreated can be fatal because the body's ability to maintain homeostasis is compromised.
National Psoriasis Foundation
"The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is a non-profit organization with a mission to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of those affected.
Founded in 1966 from a tiny classified ad in a Portland, Ore. newspaper, the Psoriasis Foundation has evolved to become the leading patient advocacy group for the 7.5 million Americans living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
As emerging research continues to demonstrate the serious, systemic effects of these chronic autoimmune diseases, our highest priority is to find a cure."
Website: https://www.psoriasis.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/National.Psoriasis.Foundation/
Twitter: @NPF
Sources
"About the National Psoriasis Foundation." National Psoriasis Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016. <https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us>.
"Causes and Triggers." Psoriasis Causes and Known Triggers. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016. <https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/causes>.
Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016.
"Psoriasis: A Nuisance or a Deadly Disease? | Fox News." Fox News. FOX News Network, 13 Oct. 2009. Web. 09 Apr. 2016.
"Psoriasis." Dr. Dobbin. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016. <http://www.drdobbin.co.uk/sites/drdobbin.co.uk/files/psoriasis.jpg>.
"Psoriasis: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016. <https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/psoriasis.html>.
"Psoriasis." Psoriasis. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016.
"Psoriasis." Psoriasis. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2016. <https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/scaly-skin/psoriasis>.