Every person faces some skin condition, illness, or problem at one point or another during their life. These conditions can range from acne to skin cancer. However, one alarming condition that many people are unfamiliar with is psoriasis. The signs of psoriasis can be easily ignored, resulting in the condition aggravating to form complex and consequential complications. Knowing the different types and symptoms of psoriasis is important to keep yourself safe and healthy. Here, the article will discuss the following topics in detail.
- What is Psoriasis?
- Types of Psoriasis
- Symptoms of Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin-related autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to build rapidly. The resulting silver scales result in red patches on the skin, causing redness and inflammation. It shortens the lifespan of new skin cells from one month to a mere few days. As a result, the cells develop and rise to the surface, leaving minimum time to fall off the skin. Usually, you can find such scales on the feet, neck, face, hands, and scalp. In rare conditions, the mouth, genital area, and nails may also experience scales.
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Types of Psoriasis
A patient needs to distinguish between the different types of psoriasis and their causes:
- Plaque psoriasis affects 80 percent of psoriasis patients. In this condition, inflamed patches cover many areas of the skin. The main areas for scales development are knees, elbows, and scalp.
- Guttate psoriasis develops during childhood. It causes pink sports instead of large scales. Usually, spots cover the child’s legs, torso, and arms. In most cases, the spots are neither raised or thick, unlike plaque psoriasis’s scales.
- Pustular psoriasis is related to adulthood. Instead of scales, this psoriasis involves painful, pus-filled, and white-colored blisters. Also, it leaves large inflamed patches on the skin as well. The condition may begin to show signs in the patient’s hands and feeds but may spread quickly to other body parts.
- Inverse psoriasis leaves shiny and bright inflamed patches on the skin. Usually, these patches develop in fold areas of the skin like armpits, areas under breasts, genitals, and groin.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest and severest type of psoriasis. It leaves large patches on the skin together. In most cases, the skin appears as if it has been sunburnt. The scales develop together, looking like sheets. People with Erythrodermic psoriasis often face extreme fevers and illness. In most cases, without proper treatment, this condition may become fatal. Thus, medical consultation is required in this case.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
The symptoms of psoriasis in each case are subjective and can vary vastly. However, in most cases, some common symptoms include:
- Inflamed patches of skin that are raised and extremely red.
- Plaques or whitish scales are developing on the inflamed patches.
- Skin dryness causing cracks and bleeding
- Sore patches
- Pitted and thick nails
- Swollen joints are causing extreme pain.
Usually, psoriasis patients pass through cycles of different symptoms. The symptoms remain extreme for a few days and then may clear up completely. However, once the condition triggers again, the symptoms may develop and show visible signs of psoriasis. As such, the period without any noticeable symptoms is called the remission period for the diseases. Until the disease comes out of remission, there are usually no symptoms.
Conclusion
Taking care of your skin is important to lead a healthy life. Any signs of psoriasis must not be ignored, and immediate remedial action must be taken to protect yourself. Contact a professional health care provider immediately if you see signs of psoriasis. Let us know in the comments section if our article was helpful.
