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
Heres how you can spot the 7 types of psoriasis and what you can do to treat them.
What Type Of Psoriasis Treatment Will I Need
Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis. Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of skin. If the rash affects larger areas, or you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.
Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:
- Severity of the rash.
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Ready To See If Cosentyx Can Help You Feel Real Relief From Your Symptoms
Find a dermatologist in your area who has experience prescribing biologics as well as other treatments for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
COSENTYX® is a prescription medicine used to treat:
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people 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of the body, and who may benefit from taking injections or pills or phototherapy
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adults with active psoriatic arthritis
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adults with active ankylosing spondylitis
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adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and objective signs of inflammation
Do not use COSENTYX if you have had a severe allergic reaction to secukinumab or any of the other ingredients in COSENTYX. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
COSENTYX is a medicine that affects your immune system. COSENTYX may increase your risk of having serious side effects such as:
Infections
COSENTYX may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections, sometimes serious.
- Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis before starting treatment with COSENTYX.
- If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with COSENTYX and during treatment with COSENTYX.
- Your doctor should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with COSENTYX. Do not take COSENTYX if you have an active TB infection.
Before starting COSENTYX, tell your doctor if you:
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Complementary And Alternative Remedies
Some people use complementary and alternative remedies, such as acupuncture, to prevent psoriasis from spreading. Other strategies, such as meditation and therapy, may help some people cope with the emotional effects and social stigma of having psoriasis.
Although there is some evidence that specific environmental factors might trigger psoriasis, those factors vary from between patients. This makes it almost impossible to prevent psoriasis developing for the first time. However, it might be possible to prevent subsequent flare-ups by keeping track of triggers.
A person with psoriasis might find that their psoriasis gets worse with stress, after sunburn, or when they eat certain foods. Avoiding these triggers can lengthen the time between flare-ups, and may prevent an early flare-up from spreading.
Myth #: Psoriasis Is Preventable
Psoriasis often begins in early adulthood but can also start later in life. The condition often comes and goes, becoming more serious and then less so. The condition is not contagious and usually occurs on a few areas of skin, but it can cover large areas of the body in severe cases. Anyone can develop psoriasis, but youre more likely to have psoriasis if someone in your family has the disease. Dr. Chow stated that this is a hereditary disease. Having a severe infection like HIV, or reoccurring infections like strep throat may trigger an attack or cause severe symptoms.The exact cause of psoriasis is still unknown, but its thought to be related to an immune system problem with cells in the body. These factors can increase a persons risk for the disease:
- Family history
- Smoking
- Obesity
Psoriasis usually starts or gets worse because of a specific trigger, such as an infection, skin injury, stress, cold weather, drinking alcohol, smoking and some medications.
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Treatments For Of Palmoplantar Pustulosis
Though nothing will cure PPP, treatment can help. Yours may include:
- Topical steroids. These creams, used with a sterile bandage or vinyl dressing, are anti-inflammatory treatments. They can help with inflammation, swelling, tenderness, and pain.
- Coal tar.This ointment can help heal blisters and make them less itchy. Coal tar also slows the production of your skin cells and helps shed cells so your skin doesn’t become thick.
- Acitretin tablets.Made from vitamin A, these can help you manage PPP. But acitretin can have strong side effects, so it’s not for everyone. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant shouldn’t use it. Men who want to have children should talk to their doctor before taking it.
- This treatment uses medication along with ultraviolet light to slow down skin growth and help with symptoms for long periods of time.
Diet And Psoriasis: What’s The Connection
Can your diet help keep psoriasis under control? Maybe. An observational study published online July 25, 2018, by JAMA Dermatology found that people with psoriasis who followed a Mediterranean diet an eating pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, fruit, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil experienced fewer severe flare-ups. This was only an association and more research is needed, but experts believe the Mediterranean diet contains many foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and may offer extra protection against psoriasis triggers.
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What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Other, less common types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
- Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
- Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
What Is Psoriasis Everything You Need To Know
What is psoriasis? might seem like a pretty straightforward questionits a skin condition that causes raised bumpy patches, right? Not quite, actually. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes issues with the skin. And its so much more than the physical symptoms you probably associate with it. For one, there are several different types of psoriasis and each persons experience with the condition is unique. Moreover, psoriasiss impact is more than skin-deep, with the potential to cause everything from painful psoriatic arthritis to serious self-image issues.
Before we dive in, lets cover the basics: Psoriasis causes the skin to regenerate more quickly than normal. Typically, your skin cells go through a cycle known as cell turnover, starting deep in your skin and slowly rising to the surface. Usually, this takes about a month, but according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it can take only a few days when you have psoriasis, causing the skin cells to rise too fast and pile up on the surface of your skin. Because of this, people who have psoriasisabout 7.5 million people in the U.S., per the American Academy of Dermatology can have flare-ups that cause the characteristic itchy, scaly skin patches to show up on their skin.
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How To Ease Itchy Rash
Once you know the underlying cause of your itchy rash all over body,you can look for an appropriate treatment option. You can take the following steps to improve your condition:
- Make sure to keep the rash cool and moist. You may even soak a clean cloth in ice water and put it on the rash a few times a day.
- Avoid direct exposure to sun because heat can cause itching.
- Try an oatmeal bath for relief.
- Do not scratch the area because scratching will make things worse. Keep your nails trimmed to avoid scaring.
- Wear breathable clothing to avoid making your rash worse.
- Use gentle soaps and use a mild soap to watch your clothes.
- Do a relaxation exercise daily, especially before going to bed. This will help manage stress and relax your muscles to ease your symptoms.
What You Can Expect During An Appointment Exploring The Type And Cause Of A Rash
Your doctor will look at the rash, and ask you about:
- When the rash started and how its progressed
- Your medical history
- What products or medications you have recently started using
- Your hygiene
While only a medical professional can diagnose the cause of your rash, hopefully, you now have more information about whats causing you to itch.
Remember, the top online doctors at PlushCare are available for same day appointments and can treat your rash without you needing to leave home.
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How Can Psoriasis Cause Small Scaling Spots
Small scaling spots are caused by a type of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis. Like other forms of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes symptoms on the skin called plaques. In plaque psoriasis, which is the most common form of the condition, the plaques are usually larger and are thickened, red, and covered with a layer of silvery scales1.
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.
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What If Those Psoriasis Treatments Dont Work
If psoriasis doesnt improve, your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:
- Light therapy: UV light at specific wavelengths can decrease skin inflammation and help slow skin cell production.
- PUVA: This treatment combines a medication called psoralen with exposure to a special form of UV light.
- Methotrexate: Providers sometimes recommend this medication for severe cases. It may cause liver disease. If you take it, your provider will monitor you with blood tests. You may need periodic liver biopsies to check your liver health.
- Retinoids: These vitamin A-related drugs can cause side effects, including birth defects.
- Cyclosporine: This medicine can help severe psoriasis. But it may cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.
- Immune therapies: Newer immune therapy medications work by blocking the bodys immune system so it cant jumpstart an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis.
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What Are The Most Common Treatments For Psoriasis And Whats The Prognosis
The bad news is that psoriasis is chronic, so if you’re diagnosed with it, it’s likely a condition that you’ll have for life. And there is currently no cure. But there’s some very good news to keep in mind, too. Symptoms can come and go over time, and there are a variety of treatment options that are more effective than ever and can help you find significant symptom relief.
Common psoriasis treatments include:
These can include steroid creams, a vitamin D analog, or a combination.
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How To Prevent Red Spots On Your Skin
- Avoid heavy physical activities like lifting weight that can destroy the blood vessels.
- Avoid processed or canned food that includes a lot of saturated fat with zero nutritional value instead, eat fresh veggies and fruits and drink plenty of water.
- Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, or apply coconut oil or olive oil to reduce dryness.
- Never share your clothes, towel, or comb with anybody else.
- Use protection while having intercourse.
- Keep your house insect-free by using sprays or killers. And always wear full sleeves.
Who Gets Psoriasis
A 2017 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology that involved more than 5,000 patients found that severe psoriasis strikes more men than women. But who actually gets psoriasis often comes down to genes.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system causes certain areas of your skin to produce new cells more rapidly than normal, which leads to thickening and scaling. It’s not clear what makes this happen, but scientists believe that most people with psoriasis inherit one or more of certain genes that can affect the immune system in a way to make them prone to psoriasis.
But it is not enough to have a genetic connection. Flare-ups often occur when certain triggers start the psoriasis process. The most common is stress. Mental stress causes the body to release chemicals that boost the inflammatory response. Scientists suspect this is the mechanism for stress-induced psoriasis flare-ups.
Psoriasis tends to worsen with weight gain. Flare-ups also can be triggered by certain common medications, like beta blockers used to control high blood pressure or heart rate, or lithium used to treat bipolar disorder. Other triggers include strep throat, injury to the skin, and respiratory infection.
Once psoriasis has cleared up, it can stay away for months or even years, and then reappear. “You can minimize the risk for recurring flare-ups, but you cannot 100% avoid them, even if you do everything right,” says Dr. Smith.
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What Is A Rash
A rash is usually a red mark on the surface of the skin. They can be caused by a host of reasons and well dig into that a little later. In all, a rash is a reaction to something. It could become swollen, red and even blister. Regardless, this is your body reacting to something it doesnt like. Your body does not produce a rash because its happy!
Genetics can also play a part in your the rashes you get. Depending on your genes you could be more sensitive to certain environmental factors, foods or otherwise. Its also worth pointing out that rash is not a specific diagnosis. It simply refers to any sort of inflammation or discoloration that distorts the skins normal appearance.
What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
If you have psoriasis, ask your healthcare provider:
- How can I prevent outbreaks and control symptoms?
- What medication will work best for me?
- What else should I do to improve symptoms?
- What are my options if creams dont work?
- Will psoriasis ever go away?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Psoriasis, an itchy skin condition, can come and go throughout your life. Its related to an overactive immune response and is not contagious. If you have skin changes that arent going away, talk to your healthcare provider. There is no cure for psoriasis, but psoriasis treatments can improve symptoms. Your provider may prescribe a special cream or moisturizer or medications. Other therapies are available if creams or medicines dont work. Maintaining your overall health will also help improve symptoms.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/17/2020.
References
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What Do You Do About It
Don’t just go to Google images and try to diagnose yourself. A dermatologist will have to examine your skin in order to make a diagnosis and determine which form of the disorder you have. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you can discuss treatment plans. There are now many options available, including topical creams, injections, and lifestyle alterations.
“With the right medication, most patients can achieve complete or near-complete clearance” of symptoms, explains Gary Goldenberg, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
According to Zeichner and Goldenberg, the proper treatment regimen will depend upon how mild or severe your case is, as well as what kind of psoriasis you have. “For mild cases, skin care is important,” Goldenberg says. “I usually recommend moisturizers topical steroids are also useful for itching and inflammation.”
Other topical options for mild cases include cortisones and vitamin D creams, Zeichner says. “More severe cases may require systemic medications like pills or shots to keep the inflammation calm.”
What Does Psoriasis Look Like
Psoriasis usually appears as red or pink plaques of raised, thick, scaly skin. However, it can also appear as small, flat bumps or large, thick plaques. It most commonly affects the skin on the elbows, knees, and scalp, though it can appear anywhere on the body. The following slides will review some of the different types of psoriasis.
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Seeking The Right Treatment
Unfortunately, there are currently no cures for these skin conditions, and many people have to manage their symptoms over a lifetime. Depending on several factors, including your age and severity of your condition, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that includes a combination of medicine, avoiding triggers, and having a good skin care regimen and healthy lifestyle. Its important to get the right diagnosis with a doctor who specializes in these conditions, such as a dermatologist, and to develop a treatment plan thats tailored to your specific needs.