Everything You Need to Know About Psoriasis

A persistent inflammatory disease called psoriasis causes your skin cells to accumulate quickly. The accumulation of cells on the surface of your skin results in scaling.

Redness and inflammation around the scales are rather prevalent. Psoriatic scales typically appear in large red patches and are whitish-silver in color. They can, however, also seem more purplish, dark brown, with gray scales on skin tones that are darker. These patches occasionally bleed and fracture.

An accelerated process of skin creation leads to psoriasis. Skin cells normally form deep within the skin and come to the surface gradually. They eventually come off. A skin cell has an average life cycle of one month.

This production process can take place in a matter of days in psoriasis  sufferers. Skin cells don't have time to shed as a result. Skin cell accumulation is the result of this quick overproduction.

A study Trusted Source from 2021 estimates that 7.5 million persons in the United States who are 20 years of age and older have psoriasis, representing a 3% prevalence rate (occurrence of a condition). The prevalence rates broken down by race and ethnicity are:

3.6% of Caucasian individuals

3.1% of non-Hispanic individuals, including those of mixed races

2.5% of individuals who are Asian

1.9% of Hispanics, including those who identify as Mexican Americans

1.5% of individuals of African descent

Where does psoriasis usually start?

Usually, scales appear on joints like the elbows and knees. But they could appear anywhere on your body, such as the:

hands

feet

neck

different types of psoriasis?

Psoriasis comes in five different forms:

Psoriasis plaque

The most prevalent kind of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis.

According to estimations from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 80–90% of those who have the disorder also have plaque psoriasis. It is more difficult to identify in individuals of color since it causes purple, grayish, or darker brown spots on skin of color and red, inflammatory regions on lighter skin tones.

On skin of color, these spots are frequently more severe and covered in whitish-silver scales or plaques Trusted Source. Common locations for these plaques include the scalp, knees, and elbows.

Psoriasis with guttate

Childhood is the most common age for guttate psoriasis. Tiny pink or violet patches are the result of this kind of psoriasis. The most common sites for guttate psoriasis include your torso, arms, and legs. These spots are rarely thick or raised like plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis pustular

Adults are more likely to develop pustular psoriasis. It results in large patches of red or violet inflamed skin, depending on skin tone, and white, pus-filled blisters. On skin tones that are darker, it may appear as a more intense violet tint. Although pustular psoriasis can spread widely, it usually affects smaller parts of the body, like the hands or feet.

Psoriasis in reverse

Bright patches of red, glossy, inflammatory skin are a symptom of inverse psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis patches might appear in your groin, beneath your breasts or armpits, or around the skinfolds in your genitalia.

Enzymatic psoriasis

The National Psoriasis Foundation states that erythrodermic psoriasis is an extremely rare and severe form of psoriasis.

This shape frequently covers a lot of body area all at once. It almost looks like sunburned skin. Developing scales frequently shed in big clumps or sheets. With this type of psoriasis, fever or severe illness are frequent side effects.

You should schedule an appointment with a medical practitioner right away because this kind of condition has the potential to be fatal.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person and are contingent upon the specific form of psoriasis. Psoriasis can affect large portions of your body or just a few spots like your elbows or scalp.

The following are the most typical signs of plaque psoriasis:

elevated, inflammatory skin lesions that show up as red on fair skin and as brown or purple on darker skin

Gray scales on purple and brown patches, or whitish-silver plaques over red spots

dry skin that could bleed and split

discomfort in the vicinity of patches

scorching and itchy feelings in the vicinity of patches

thick, broken nails

aching, enlarged joints

Not every individual will have every one of these signs. If they have a less common kind, some folks will have completely different symptoms.

How do you know if you have psoriasis?

Most people with psoriasis go through “cycles” of symptoms. The condition may cause severe symptoms for a few days or weeks, and then the symptoms may clear up and be almost unnoticeable.

Then, in a few weeks or if made worse by a common psoriasis trigger, the condition may flare up again. Sometimes, symptoms of psoriasis disappear completely.

When you have no active signs of the condition, you may be in “remission.” That does not mean psoriasis will not come back, but for this period of time, you’re symptom-free.

What causes psoriasis to start?

Doctors are unclear as to what causes psoriasis. However, thanks to decades of research, they have a general idea of two key factors:

genetics

the immune system

Diagnosing psoriasis

Two tests or examinations may be necessary to diagnose psoriasis.

Physical examination

Most doctors can make a diagnosis with a simple physical exam. Symptoms of psoriasis are typically evident and easy to distinguish from other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

During this exam, be sure to show your doctor all areas of concern. In addition, let your doctor know if any family members have the condition.

autopsy

Your doctor may remove a tiny sample of skin if your symptoms are unclear or if they wish to confirm the diagnosis they are thinking of. We call this a biopsy.

Biopsies can be performed on the day of your appointment at your physician's office. Most likely, a topical anesthetic will be injected by your doctor to lessen the discomfort of the biopsy.

Subsequently, the skin biopsy will be sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. You can find out what kind of psoriasis you have with the examination. It can also rule out infections or other potential illnesses.

Your doctor could ask for an appointment when the results are back so they can go over the findings and possible course of treatment with you.

What are the triggers of psoriasis?

External “triggers” may start a new bout of psoriasis. These triggers are not the same for everyone. They may also change over time for you.

The most common triggers for psoriasis include:

Stress

Unusually high stress may trigger a flare-up. If you learn to reduce and manage your stress, you can reduce and possibly prevent flare-ups.

Alcohol

Alcohol use disorder can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. If you drink excessively, psoriasis outbreaks may be more frequent. Considering reducing alcohol consumption or quitting is helpful for more than just your skin. Your doctor can help you create a plan to address your alcohol use concerns if you need assistance.

Injury

An accident, cut, or scrape may trigger a flare-up. Injections, vaccines, and sunburns can also trigger a new outbreak.

Medications

Some medications are considered psoriasis triggers. These medications include:

lithium

antimalarial medications

high blood pressure medication

Infection

Psoriasis is caused, at least in part, by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. If you’re sick — maybe you have an infection — your immune system can mistakenly build an immune response against itself in addition to the necessary defense against the infection.

Diet recommendations for people with psoriasis

Food cannot cure or even treat psoriasis, but eating a nutrient-rich diet might help reduce your symptoms. These five lifestyle changes may help ease symptoms of psoriasis and reduce flare-ups:

Managing body weight

It’s unclear how weight interacts with psoriasis, but losing excess weight may also help in making treatments more effective. If you’re overweight, working toward reaching a moderate weight, may help in reducing the severity of the condition.

Eating a heart-healthy diet

Reducing your intake of saturated fats, which are found in animal products, like meats and dairy, can be helpful in managing psoriasis.

It’s also important to increase your intake of lean proteins that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp. Plant sources of omega-3s, including walnuts, flax seeds, and soybeans, are also helpful sources, especially if you’re looking for plant-based options.

Avoiding trigger foods

Psoriasis causes inflammation. Certain foods can cause inflammation as well. Avoiding those foods might help improve symptoms. These foods include:

red meat

refined sugar

highly processed foods

dairy products

Drinking less alcohol

Alcohol consumption can increase your risk of a flare-up. Cutting back or quitting entirely can help lower your risk. If you have alcohol use disorder, your doctor can help you create a treatment plan.

Considering taking vitamins

Some doctors prefer a vitamin-rich diet to vitamins in pill form. However, even the healthiest eater may need help getting adequate nutrients. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any vitamins as a supplement to your diet. 

Summary

Psoriasis is a skin condition that results from a faulty immune reaction. Plaque psoriasis — the most common type — causes silvery, scaly lesions that may itch, but other types can appear differently. There is no cure for psoriasis, but a range of at-home remedies and medical treatments can help manage it.