Articles On Types Of Psoriasis
Knowing which kind of psoriasis you have helps you and your doctor make a treatment plan. Most people have only one type at a time. Sometimes, after your symptoms go away, a new form of psoriasis will crop up in response to a trigger.
In general, most types of psoriasis result from the same triggers:
- Diet
- Weather
Here’s how you can spot the 7 types of psoriasis and what you can do to treat them.
Avoid Cuts Scratches And Bug Bites
Anything that harms the skin on your hands can make your psoriasis flare. If you get a cut, clean and take care of it right away. Try not to pick at scabs. If you get an itchy bug bite, do your best not to scratch it. That could make your psoriasis worse. Instead, use a cold compress to get some relief.
Follow Cdc And Local Government Recommendations For Social Distancing
If youre on immunosuppressing medications or have other underlying health conditions that place you at a higher risk for coronavirus complications, you should avoid leaving your home as much as possible and avoiding close contact with other people if you need to go to work or run an essential errand. Wear a cloth face mask when youre out in public places.
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Can Psoriasis Affect Only My Nails
In some cases, psoriasis may involve only the fingernails and toenails, although more commonly, nail symptoms will accompany psoriasis and arthritis symptoms. The appearance of the nails may be altered, and affected nails may have small pinpoint pits or large yellow-colored separations on the nail plate called “oil spots.” Nail psoriasis can be hard to treat but may respond to medications taken for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Treatments include topical steroids applied to the cuticle, steroid injections at the cuticle, or oral medications.
Heat Rash: Sweating That Leads To Bumpy Red Skin
Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that forms in the armpits and skin folds under breasts or in groin areas, making the skin red and shiny. Sweating makes this type of psoriasis worse. Heat rash also makes your skin red and forms in skin folds of the groin, breasts, and armpits. Heat rash occurs in hot, humid conditions. Sweating can cause your pores to get blocked and result in a bumpy, red skin rash that stings. Heat rash is more common in newborns, but can also affect older children and adults.
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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
Most of the time, the diagnosis of psoriasis is pretty simple. The doctors that specialize in skin pathology are the dermatologists. Your doctor will start by asking questions about your medical history and your symptoms. Then, the doctor will perform a physical examination.
Most of the time, a simple inspection of the skin lesions is enough to establish a diagnosis. No further test may be required. However, many skin conditions may be similar to psoriasis. In this case, your doctor may indicate a skin biopsy to rule out other possible diagnoses.
A biopsy is a procedure in which your doctor will remove a small portion of the skin. Then, this tissue is put under the microscope to observe the cells in it. The biopsy of a patient with psoriasis will show the thickening of the epidermis . Also, the cells in this layer appear to be immature because of how quickly they reproduce due to psoriasis. Finally, in psoriasis, inflammatory cells can appear in the sample of tissue.
Laboratory tests are not useful in the diagnosis of psoriasis. However, doctors will indicate them to rule out other diseases that can mimic this condition.
Reduced Quality Of Life
The pain and itching that go along with psoriasis flares can keep you up at night and cause you to feel tired the next day. This can affect how well you do at your job or in school. Severe psoriasis symptoms may even make it hard for you to care for yourself or your loved ones. Psoriasis of your hands or feet can interfere with your ability to do your job, play sports, or engage in hobbies. You may even have trouble walking and keeping active. Many people with psoriasis feel unattractive and isolate themselves from others. They may avoid going out in public, wearing clothing that shows their plaques, or participating in activities like swimming that make it difficult to hide their symptoms. Experts find that people who can control their psoriasis report a higher quality of life, miss less work, and are more productive at work.
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Psoriasis Can Affect Internal Organs As Well As The Skin
Not only can psoriasis affect the skin, but it can have devastating effects that can affect your internal organs.
The systemic inflammation inside the body that accompanies the disease is often overlooked.
Patients may think that they are having success with their treatments if they cannot see the thick psoriasis plaques on their skin.
However, patients can have serious consequences on their joints, arteries and other organs if not properly treated early to decrease the inflammation.
It is important to know that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. It is not contagious and is caused when the immune system attacks the skin.
As a result, scaly red patches or plaques occur on the skin.
In addition to skin problems, some patients can develop psoriatic arthritis. Signs and symptoms of this are painful, stiff and swollen joints that can come and go.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the back or neck.
An early and accurate diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is essential because persistent inflammation can cause damage to the joints.
Nobody knows exactly what causes psoriatic arthritis, but it can affect anyone.
Psoriatic arthritis typically occurs in people with skin psoriasis, but it can occur in people without skin psoriasis, particularly in those who have relatives with psoriasis.
Sometimes certain heart medications like B-blockers can cause a psoriasis flare on the skin or it may be triggered by a streptococcal throat infection.
Sneaky Psoriasis Sign #: Weird Patches On Your Elbows Or Knees
Chances are, youll first notice psoriasis on your elbows or knees in the form of raised red patches of skin. One study found that half of patients have it on their elbows and a third on their knees.
Skin inflammation is one of the main features, says Rajani Katta, M.D., a professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and author of Glow: The Dermatologists Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet. That inflammation is what causes the raised red patches.
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Depression Anxiety And Suicide
Stress can be both a trigger and the result of psoriasis flares. People with psoriasis have a higher risk of depression and anxiety than those without it. They also have more suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially if their disease is severe. The social isolation that often goes along with having psoriasis can make depression symptoms worse. Fortunately, studies show that treating your psoriasis can improve symptoms of depression.
How Is The Diagnosis Of Palmoplantar Psoriasis Made
Palmoplantar psoriasis is diagnosed by its clinical appearance, supported by finding chronic plaque psoriasis in other sites. Mycology of skin scrapings may be performed to exclude fungal infection. Skin biopsy is rarely needed.
The differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis includes:
- Other forms of acquired keratoderma.
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Seborrheic Dermatitis: Itchy Scaly Patches
A psoriasis skin rash tends to itch, burn, and feel sore. Patches of psoriasis commonly occur on your knees and elbows. Many people also have scalp psoriasis. The common skin rash seborrheic dermatitis also causes scaly, itchy skin patches. It can occur on your scalp, where it may be called dandruff, or on your face and chest. While doctors don’t know the exact cause of seborrhea, it occurs across the age spectrum, in babies as well as in adults, and is usually treated with creams and lotions.
How Does Psoriasis Affect The Palms And Soles
Psoriasis may be localised to the palms and soles or part of generalisedchronic plaque psoriasis. Two common patterns are observed:
- Well-circumscribed, red, scaly, plaques similar to psoriasis elsewhere
- Patchy or generalised thickening and scaling of the entire surface of palms and/or soles without redness
Palmoplantar psoriasis
Palmoplantar pustulosis and the rare acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau , in which yellow-brown pustules occur, are no longer classified as psoriasis. However, the conditions are associated. About 1025% of people with palmoplantar pustulosis also have chronic plaque psoriasis.
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What Does Psoriasis Look Like
There are five basic types of psoriasis. Each one of them has different characteristics, and the psoriasis lesions are different between them.
Plaque psoriasisor psoriasis Vulgaris
This is the most common type representing 90% of cases of patients with psoriasis. It is also known as chronic plaque psoriasis. They are red, raised plaques, with coverage of silvery-white and scaly skin. These plaques are itchy and appear on elbows, knees, buttocks, and back. It is also the typical form of scalp psoriasis.
Guttate psoriasis
In this type, there are many small, red, or pink papules . They appear in large areas, like the limbs and back. This is the type that most commonly occurs after a strep infection.
Inverse psoriasis
The lesions are smooth and inflamed patches of skin. They are most common in skin folds like the armpits and the groin. They can appear in other places like upper thighs, under the breasts, and between the buttocks. This is not the typical form of psoriasis. However, patients with inverse psoriasis can have other forms of psoriasis in other parts of their bodies.
Pustular psoriasis
The lesions in this type of psoriasis are raised bumps filled with pus. They often appear in the hands and feet. These pustules may cover long extensions of your body. When this happens, you may experience red skin and fever, along with weakness and severe itching.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Nail psoriasis
How Do I Treat Psoriasis
Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis. But you can treat the symptoms in a few ways. Some people with the common skin condition can even rid themselves of all symptoms.
The main area of action should be to treat the inflammation. Steroid cream prescribed by a dermatologist could do the trick. However, if your condition is slightly worse than normal, you may need pills or injections. Talk to a dermatologist to find out!
You can take the fight to psoriasis at home too. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet to help decreases symptoms. Gluten free diets have been known to help, as well as more omega-3 fatty acids, and foods rich in vitamin D. Turmeric has also been found to help with inflammation and psoriasis.
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Where Psoriasis Appears
Basically, psoriasis can show up wherever you have skin. Psoriasis can appear anywhereon the eyelids, ears, mouth and lips, skin folds, hands and feet, and nails, Michael Siegel, M.D., vice president of research programs at the National Psoriasis Foundation, tells SELF. The skin at each of these sites is different and requires different treatments.
Like we mentioned, there are multiple types of psoriasis and, while Dr. Siegel says you can have any type of psoriasis on any part of your body, some are more likely to show up in certain places than others. Heres a quick rundown of the most common places psoriasis appears on the body:
Psoriasis most commonly shows up on the elbows and knees, and it’s often plaque psoriasis. are often itchy and painful, and they can crack and bleed, Dr. Siegel says.
Plaque psoriasis also commonly shows up here, Dr. Seigel says, and it can range from mild, slight scaling to thick, crusted plaques that cover a persons entire scalp, per the NPF. It can also extend past a persons hairline onto their forehead, back of the neck, and around their ears.
Facial psoriasis isnt as common, Dr. Bailey says, but it can happen. This form of psoriasis usually affects a persons eyebrows, the skin between their nose and upper lip, upper forehead, and their hairline, according to the NPF, which notes that this type of psoriasis should be treated carefully because the skin in this area is sensitive.
When To See A Doctor
A doctor can prescribe medication to reduce discomfort during a psoriasis flare.
To diagnose the condition, the doctor will look at the symptoms and ask the person about their medical history.
They may take a small skin sample or biopsy to rule out other skin inflammatory conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis or a fungal infection.
Often, the doctor can diagnose psoriasis by appearance alone.
There is little information about treatment specifically for palmoplantar psoriasis.
However, options that may relieve symptoms usually involve the following, alone or in combination:
- topical medications
- systemic medication, which affects how the body works
- light therapy
- biologic treatments
A person may have to work with their health provider and try several treatments to find a suitable one.
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Types Symptoms And Treatment
Like psoriasis and PsA elsewhere on the body, psoriatic disease in the hands and feet can cause itchy, scaling, reddened skin plaques and painful, swollen joints. Specific types and symptoms of hand and foot psoriasis and PsA, however, can also cause less-familiar skin and joint issues.
Palmoplantar psoriasis, plaque psoriasis on the feet or hands, affects about 40 percent of people with plaque psoriasis, who often donât have much skin disease elsewhere. As noted, its substantial effects on function and quality of life mean dermatologists typically use advanced medications to control symptoms. Treating certain types of palmoplantar psoriasis is still challenging, despite the rapidly expanding list of medications for psoriasis and PsA. Often, palmoplantar psoriasis doesnât respond as well to treatment as does psoriasis on other parts of the body.
Most biologics, which work by targeting specific proteins that turn up inflammation in psoriatic disease, such as tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-17 , have some effect on certain people with palmoplantar psoriasis.
No one treatment works for everyone, and people with palmoplantar psoriasis may have to try several medications or combinations of treatments to relieve symptoms. Gary Bixby, for example, didnât get better with either a TNF or an IL-17 inhibitor. The third biologic he tried blocks another interleukin protein, IL-23, and, three months after his first injection, heâs getting better results.
Gently Slough Off Scales
Although a hot shower or bath will dry out your hands, a warm hand soak can give you some relief. Put bath oil, oatmeal, or Epsom salts in a bowl of water and soak your hands. It can help slough off scaly skin and ease itching. Limit your soak to just a few minutes, then gently pat extra water from your hands with a towel and moisturize as soon as you can.
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Do You Have Rosacea Psoriasis Or Eczema
Rashes, bumps, redness, itchingthese issues can indicate a number of skin conditions, including rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. While the symptoms may seem genericand perhaps in mild cases not warrant much attentionit’s worth seeing a healthcare provider to get a formal diagnosis, particularly if they persist. While rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema tend to be chronic conditions, they’re rarely life-threatening. However, they can lead to complications if left untreated.
This primer can help you sort out the differences between these three potential look-alikes.
Psoriasis Of The Ears
Plaque psoriasis may appear in the external ear canal, but is very rare inside the ear or behind the eardrum. A buildup of scale in the ear may cause temporary hearing loss and debris should be carefully removed by a doctor, says the National Psoriasis Foundation. The safest treatment for psoriasis in this sensitive part of the body is prescription steroid solutions, which may be applied directly to the external ear canal or dripped into the ear canal.
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Psoriasis Of The Scalp
The scalp is one of the most common body parts to be affected by psoriasis, says the National Psoriasis Foundation. Scalp psoriasis may range from small patches of fine scales to a thick, crusty covering over the whole scalp. In severe cases, scalp psoriasis may extend onto the forehead, down the back of the neck, and over the ears. Common scalp psoriasis treatments are coal tar and salicylic acid-medicated shampoo. More serious cases may be treated topically with Dritho-Scalp or Dovonex .
Take Care Of Your Feet
Start by taking good care of your feet. Wash them regularly with a gentle soap that does not dry the skin or trigger flares. Your doctor can offer medical advice to help you find a soap that will work for you. If you are particularly prone to outbreaks of psoriasis on your feet, an oatmeal foot bath may also soothe your skin.
When your feet are clean and dry, use a gentle moisturizer to keep your feet well hydrated. Some lotions with urea or salicylic acid are specifically designed for people diagnosed with psoriasis.
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Psoriasis On The Hands And Feet
Psoriasis can be particularly uncomfortable and irritating on the palms and soles of the feet. Plaque psoriasis may result in dry, scaly patches, while a rare type of pustular psoriasis called palmoplantar pustulosis causes pus-filled blisters to form on these areas. Look after your hands and feet to help ease discomfort and pain. Wear comfortable shoes and gloves made from natural fibers, and soak affected areas in warm water twice a day before patting dry and applying a moisturizer.