What Causes Psoriasis On Elbows

What Are The Types Of Psoriasis

Occasionally psoriasis of one clinical type may evolve into another such as pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, or guttate psoriasis. Clinical types of psoriasis include the following:

• In pustular psoriasis, the red areas on the skin contain small blisters filled with pus.

Pustular psoriasis. Image courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.

• In erythrodermic psoriasis, very extensive and diffuse areas of red and scaling skin are present.
• In guttate psoriasis, there are many isolated small scaling bumps.

When To See A Healthcare Provider

As a general rule, you should suspect psoriatic arthritis if you have symptoms of psoriasis or a family history of autoimmune diseases. At the same time, it is not uncommon to have multiple autoimmune disorders given that the diseases often share the same genetic mutations.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to bringing the disease under control. Doing so can help slow disease progression, prevent joint damage, and improve your overall quality of life.

If you develop symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a joint specialist known as a rheumatologist.

While many internists are capable of managing mild psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a far more complicated disease. It is not only more difficult to diagnose but often requires a combination of drugs, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs like methotrexate and newer-generation biologic drugs like Enbrel and Humira .

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Dry Cracked Skin: Irritation That Can Lead To Infection

Dry, cracked skin is a psoriasis symptom. However, dry air can also cause your skin to become dry and itchy. When the skin is dry and irritated , itâs more likely to get infected. Infection may cause your skin to become red and swollen. If you have any skin rashes that keep coming back or wonât go away, see your doctor. Most cases of psoriasis can be diagnosed with a physical examination but because psoriasis can look like many other skin conditions, a skin biopsy may have to be done to definitively diagnose it.

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Does Diet Play A Role In Elbow Psoriatic Arthritis

Diet may not be directly related to worsening or improving of elbow psoriatic arthritis symptoms. However, eating a healthy balanced meal, avoiding excess of sugars and salt, rich, fatty and processed food is always better from general health point of view. Drinking plenty of water is believed to be helpful in relieving joint problems. Moreover, a diet that helps in maintaining ideal weight without compromising on healthy food can help to be fit and healthy. Following a diet that suits individual requirements, keeps inflammation low and helps to manage weight is ideal.

Itchy Bumps On Elbows

Below are some of the common triggers of itchy bumps on elbows.

• Dermatitis Herpetiformis

• Shingles
• Granuloma annulare

Some of these rashes can be treated using home remedies while others will need appointment with your doctor.

NOTE, when the elbow bumps do not get resolved with home remedies, please seek medical attention.

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What Does A Red Rash On Your Elbow Mean

Eczema is a common reason for an itchy red rash on your elbows that makes your skin itchy and bumpy. Eczema can affect people of all ages and is common if you suffer from allergies or asthma. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, eczema often starts as a rash in the creases of the elbow skin.

What Psoriasis Treatments Are Available

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that may worsen and improve in cycles. Any approach to the treatment of this disease must be considered for the long term. Treatment regimens must be individualized according to age, sex, occupation, personal motivation, other health conditions, and available economic resources.

Disease severity is defined by the thickness and extent of plaques present as well as the patient’s perception and acceptance of the disease. Treatment must be designed with the patient’s specific expectations in mind, rather than focusing only on the extent of body surface area involved.

Many treatments exist for psoriasis. However, the construction of an effective therapeutic regimen is not necessarily complicated.

There are three basic types of treatments for psoriasis:

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Itchy Rash Behind Knee

At first your child will seem a bit off-colour, they may be off their food and quite lethargic for a few days. Then a few, itchy, red, raised spots on the neck, face, chest or back or other body parts will start to appear. These turn into little fluid-filled blisters, which can be itchy and painful.

Bumpy Itchy Rash On Elbows

Strep Throat Rash. A strep rash, which is also known as scarlatina, usually occurs when a strep throat condition develops or is present. Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria.When a person has this strep throat problem the typical symptoms are: a high fever , frequent chills, headaches, a throat that .

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What Is Scalp Psoriasis And What Causes It

Psoriasis can appear on any part of the skin, even the scalp. With scalp psoriasis, scalp plaques produce excess scales and can cause your scalp to itch.

Symptoms of scalp psoriasis appear as the following:

• A small bump, called a papule, with a scale on top.
• The plaque typically is covered by thick layers of horny scale. When the scale sheds, it can look like dandruff.
• Sometimes these plaques can itch.
• Scratching these plaques can worsen the condition and lead to what’s called the Koebner phenomenon, or isomorphic response, which can cause psoriasis to develop in areas where there’s inflammation and trauma.

The causes of scalp psoriasis, like all psoriasis, is related to genetic defects that affect the immune system. It is not known if stress causes or makes psoriasis worse.

In some severe cases, scalp psoriasis can cause alopecia, or a loss of hair, which is rare and may be controlled with treatment. Scalp psoriasis can be treated with topical medications, which can sometimes be difficult to apply when the scalp is covered with enough hair that can create a barrier.

What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis

The following are the most common symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis comes in several forms and severities. Symptoms may include:

• Plaque psoriasis. This type of psoriasis is the most common. Symptoms may include patches of red, raised skin on the trunk, arms, legs, knees, elbows, genitals, and scalp. Nails may also thicken, become pitted, and separate from the nail beds.

• Guttate psoriasis. This type of psoriasis affects mostly children. Symptoms may include many small spots of red, raised skin. A sore throat usually proceeds the onset of this type of psoriasis.

• Pustular psoriasis. Symptoms may include small pustules all over the body or just on the palms, soles, and other small areas.

The symptoms of psoriasis may look like other skin conditions. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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Causes Of Bumps On Elbows

What can cause a bump on my elbows? There are a number of causes. For instance, it is true that, when one wears sleeveless or short-sleeved shirt, his/her elbows always encounter several materials. This makes them prime target to contact dermatitis brought by an allergic reaction to materials that come in contact with your elbows. So some of the common causes of bumps on elbows include rash, viral infections, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

As we have indicated before, bumps can be itchy or non-itchy. Let us explore the examples of itchy and non-itchy bumps on elbows.

Does Elbow Psoriatic Arthritis Get Worse In Sunlight

Sunlight can help in reducing cell growth under the skin, if taken in moderation. However, excessive exposure to the sun can cause harm to the skin or sunburn, hence using a sun screen lotion is advisable. It is important to consult the physician regarding sun baths and use of any skin creams and follow their advice.

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How Is Elbow Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed

Elbow psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed based on a persons history, appearance of events regarding skin disorders, history of joint inflammation, trauma or any infections. Family history of skin diseases, autoimmune disorders or joint problems is also considered.

No specific tests that can determine psoriatic arthritis are available. However, other tests that can help to rule out other forms of arthritis, signs of infection or trauma and some tests to identify the presence of autoimmune disorders are performed.

Some of the investigations include:

The Main Factors Include

Infections

Infections are considered a common cause of psoriasis. In particular, infections of the upper respiratory tract can trigger the skin disease. Special caution should be taken when infected with streptococci this significantly increases the risk of developing psoriasis.

Stress and psychological strain

A high level of stress and psychological strain plays a major role in psoriasis. If there is permanent stress, this can trigger the skin disease. It does not matter whether it is physical or emotional stress. If the disease is present, stress usually worsens the symptoms.

Medication

Medication can also cause psoriasis. In particular, antihypertensive drugs such as beta-blockers, antidepressants and certain antibiotics are suspected of being a trigger factor. The exact reason is not yet clear but many people affected report that taking certain drugs was the trigger for their psoriasis.

Unhealthy lifestyle

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, so an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the risk factors that can trigger the disease. On the one hand, this weakens the immune system, on the other hand, it promotes reactions in the body that can cause the disease. Excessive consumption of alcohol, heavy smoking and being overweight can thus trigger psoriasis or aggravate existing symptoms.

External stimuli

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What Does Plaque Psoriasis Look Like

About 80 to 90 percent of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. This makes it the most common type of psoriasis.

A plaque psoriasis rash looks like raised patches of thick, inflamed skin. On light skin, it looks red and scaly, often with a layer of silver on top. On skin with more pigment, the plaques look purple, gray, or darker brown and tend to be thicker.

Plaques can develop anywhere but are most likely to appear on your:

• scalp
• knees
• lower back

Plaques also tend to be symmetrical. For example, youre more likely to have plaques on both knees or elbows than on just one side. Other symptoms include:

• itching

2009 study of 1,593 people with psoriasis found that guttate psoriasis affects about 8 percent of people with psoriasis.

You can spot this type of psoriasis rash by small, raised round spots called papules. They sometimes have a scaly appearance. The spots might look red on light skin and purple or brown on skin with more pigment.

Guttate psoriasis can start at any age. For most people, though, it starts in childhood or adolescence. It can develop after an infection, such as strep throat or tonsillitis.

Its most likely to develop on the limbs and torso, though some people get it on the scalp, face, or ears.

Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body. It can develop in just one area, or it can show up in several. For example, theres:

Plaque, inverse, and guttate are the most common types. Others include:

Faqs On Psoriasis On The Elbows And Knees

On which parts of the body does psoriasis occur?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can occur on different parts of the body. Elbows and knees, the back, scalp, ears, and fingernails are particularly frequently affected. Depending on the severity and course of the disease, these parts of the body may experience severe dandruff, itching and inflammation.

Does psoriasis occur more frequently on the elbows and knees?

Psoriasis occurs particularly frequently on the elbows and knees. These parts of the body are often difficult to treat. The exposed parts of the body and the constant movement of the joints make healing difficult. In many patients, psoriasis of the elbows and knees spreads to other parts of the body.

What helps with psoriasis on the elbows and knees?

Elbows and knees are constantly moving and have little protection. Therefore, thorough treatment is necessary. In mild cases, creams, ointments and oils help to moisturize the skin. In severe cases, medication can be used to reduce the symptoms.

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis, in general, is a genetic condition passed down through families. “It’s likely that multiple genes need to be affected to allow psoriasis to occur and that it’s frequently triggered by an external event, such as an infection,” says James W. Swan, MD, professor of dermatology at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois.

Certain risk factors, such as a family history or being obese, may increase your odds of developing psoriasis.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , at least 10 percent of people inherit genes that could lead to psoriasis, but only 3 percent or less actually develop the disease. For this reason, it is believed that the disease is caused by a combination of genetics and external factors or triggers.

A psoriasis outbreak may be provoked by:

What Are The Causes Of Elbow Psoriatic Arthritis

Elbow psoriatic arthritis is a result of over active immune system, hence it is caused when the bodys immune system begins to attack healthy cells and affects the skin and joints. It results in increased production of cells under the skin, resulting in patchy, shiny lesions of psoriasis. It is then associated with joint inflammation, swelling, pain, stiffness or the elbows.

Environmental or genetic factors may be involved but the exact mechanism and cause for such changes in the immune system are not clear. Some bacterial or viral infections, trauma or other risk factors may be contributing factors for the development of elbow psoriatic arthritis.

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Ringworm: Fungal Infections Of The Skin And Nails

Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause the thick fingernails symptomatic of fungal nail infections, and both can cause red, itchy skin rashes. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a scaly, red skin rash that clears in the middle, called ringworm . Fungal infections of the skin and nails can be hard to treat. Antifungal medications work, but you may need to take them for a long time.

Is It Scalp Psoriasis Or Dandruff

More than half of all psoriasis patients have scalp psoriasis, according to the NPF. Itchy plaques can extend beyond the hairline onto the forehead, neck, and around the ears.

“Most people with scalp psoriasis have it on other parts of their body as well,” says Dina D. Strachan, MD, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

Scalp psoriasis is sometimes confused with seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff. According to Dr. Strachan, dandruff which causes a flaky, itchy scalp without signs of inflammation tends to itch more than scalp psoriasis. It has a greasy-appearing yellow scale, Strachan says. In contrast, psoriasis whether it’s on your scalp or any other body part tends to have a thick, silvery scale.”

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Can A Diet Cure Psoriasis Naturally

• Avoiding environmental factors that trigger psoriasis, such as smoking, and stress, may help prevent or minimize flare-ups of psoriasis. Sun exposure may help in many cases of psoriasis and aggravate it in others.
• Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis, even moderate amounts of beer. People should minimize alcohol use if they have psoriasis. This is especially important if they are taking medications such as methotrexate or acitretin.
• Specific dietary restrictions or supplements other than a well-balanced and adequate diet are not important in the management of plaque psoriasis.
• Recently, some data has supported that an “anti-inflammatory” diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated and trans fats may help manage psoriasis, although the value in preventing its onset is less certain.

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.

• Vitamin A or retinoid creams.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Elbow Psoriatic Arthritis

Signs and symptoms and the types of presentation often varies in different people. More commonly elbow psoriatic arthritis presents itself with joint inflammation which often precedes skin lesions of psoriasis on the elbows or is associated with it in some way. Some of the common complaints include,

Joint Complaints Elbow joint pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth and stiffness. Pain and stiffness can make the joint painful to move resulting in restricted movements and a decreased range of motion. Pain and tenderness may also be present in the ligaments and tendons attached to the elbow joints. Morning stiffness of the affected joints is often present, which may last longer than 30 minutes.

Along with joint inflammation and swelling, there may be inflammation of tendons attached to the bones and resulting swelling. Tendons around the elbows, heels and pelvic bones are commonly involved. Elbow psoriatic arthritis can present with any of these joint symptoms depending on the pattern of disease in that individual. Additionally, other joints, if involved may also show similar signs and symptoms.

Psoriasis The skin on the elbow may show psoriatic lesions, which may also be present on other parts of the body. These are dry, silver colored or grey appearing scales in spots present over red patches on the skin area. They may have raised margins and can cause itching. These are usually present over the joints, ankles, heels, knees, spine along with elbows and even on the scalp.