Spots, redness, skin as with scales… Sometimes the appearance of the skin is striking for our environment and annoying for those suffering from any of the skin diseases, including psoriasis, a chronic disease that is characterized by the appearance of spots and eczemas in the skin, visible or not. It is estimated that approximately 2 percent of the population is affected by this non-communicable disease. Those who suffer from it, in many cases, receive social rejection because of the appearance of the injuries it generates in the skin. Learn more about psoriasis, its origin, and how patients live with them.
As a chronic disease, in addition to the physical component, there is a strong psychological condition: in the most obvious and visible cases, the striking injuries can generate a social rejection of the person who suffers it, causing a psychological stigma that can even condition the social relations of the person. Added to this is that, in some developments of skin disease, the pain is moderate and intense, which, together with the above, results in the person not being able to lead a completely normal life.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic type of skin disease that develops as shoots of inflammation of the skin, which generates its spray characteristics. In the most acute periods of the disease, it appears in the area where it affects peelings or dry skin plates. In most cases, it is not a painful condition, although it can generate episodes of intense itching and discomfort.
While it can appear at any point in the skin, it is more common in the joints, the scalp, the lower back, and the groin. According to various studies, it is more common in men than in women. In the case of them, it appears mainly in childhood, disappearing with puberty. In adult men, if they develop, it occurs between the ages of 16 and 20 or from the age of 50.
Causes
What causes skin psoriasis? The origin of this skin disease has both genetic and environmental components and even lifestyle.
The genetic influence on the disease
So far, the highest prevalence of the disease has to do with genetics. Yes, psoriasis is inherited in a high number of cases. However, the research has not yet shed light on which genetic agents trigger or make the appearance of psoriasis more likely.
An infection that gets complicated
Another trigger of this chronic skin disease has to do with bacteria, streptococcus, which penetrates poorly healed wounds or skin damage and generates the reaction of the skin. Although HIV has been linked to psoriasis, there is no cause-and-effect relationship, although it does increase the likelihood of involvement by having a depressed and therefore less combative immune system with bacteria and pathogens.
Lifestyle also affects the skin
When a person lives in a situation of continued stress, the skin can show this pressure in the form of a rash.
Other elements
When the skin shows irritation, in addition to the action of external agents such as the sun or humidity, cases have also been detailed in which some medications such as treatments to balance lithium can trigger psoriasis pictures as a side effect.
Types of Psoriasis
Given the nature of the pathology, researchers have classified psoriasis to varying degrees or types.
On the one hand, common psoriasis, or plaque, is the most common, recording 80% of the cases diagnosed. It is characterized by showing red skin lesions that appear swollen or covered by scaly skin. Most patients develop this condition in the elbows, knees, and other joints, or in the scalp. More residually, it can appear on the trunk.
Another variation of the chronic hereditary disease is guttate psoriasis, which manifests with gout-shaped rashes, and does not involve inflammation of the affected skin. In most documented cases, after puberty and even in adulthood, they suddenly disappear without the action of any treatment.
Thirdly, we find reverse psoriasis, more common in soft areas or fold areas where bacteria can act more easily.
Older, pustular psoriasis may be suffered, mostly in adults, in which the rash is shown as pus-infected blisters. Finally, erythemal psoriasis corresponds to inflammation of large areas of the skin, which when ripening are detached and cause pain.
Symptoms of psoriasis
Unfortunately for those who develop this skin-deepness, psoriasis has a very visible symptomatology. In most cases, it is shown in the form of red spots of varying size. In the most active cases, the skin is dried and forms scaly plaques that bring an unhealthy appearance to the patient. It may even be the case that small bumps appear in the areas near the condition.
Only in the most serious cases is the point of pain reached; the most common among patients is to notice a greater itching in the area. In any case, each patient develops a type of psoriasis.
Treatment for Psoriasis
Most psoriasis treatments are looking for a single goal: to decrease symptoms and the condition. To do this, substances of topical use such as creams and shampoos, such as drugs, are used for this purpose. In recent years, researchers have successfully tested phototherapy treatments with promising results thanks to the action of ultraviolet light.
Prevention
Can psoriasis be prevented from onset? Unfortunately, given the nature of the pathology, no treatment or method has been developed that prevents its appearance beyond keeping well hydrated cleaning the skin, and avoiding wounds and damage that can open the door to trigger pathogens.