Most people believe that psoriasis is a dermatological affliction, and that is indeed how it manifests, but psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disorder. The body begins to attack its own healthy skin cells. To make matters more confusing, there are several forms of psoriasis that can occur at once or switch. So let’s get into it.
Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is arguably the most common form of the condition, accounting for most of the cases. It is caused by T-cells which suddenly activate as though responding to an infection. The cells release proteins that then accelerate the production of skin cells, and this is what leads to the formation of the dry, red plaques. It is often found on the scalp, back, elbows and knees. The treatment of psoriasis can vary depending on what form you have. Patient has more information.
Nail Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis is often a manifestation of plaque psoriasis. The fingernails are more likely to be affected than the toenails. Nail psoriasis can have several effects on the appearance and architecture of the nails. It can cause lifting, pitting and even crumbling of the nail plate. You might see black lines along the length of the nail, white spots, or yellowy-pink spots.
Psoriatic Erythroderma
Psoriatic Erythroderma is another form of plaque psoriasis; it is often more severe and can affect any area of the body. The skin suffers from widespread peeling, which can cause dehydration and leave you more vulnerable to infections. In some cases, it can be fatal, so it is important that it is treated quickly.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis primarily affects children, although it has been known to occur in adults under thirty too. It is the second most prevalent form of psoriasis, and it is often associated with bacteria or viruses, which are thought to trigger the symptoms. The lesions tend to be small and pink.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis is a little rarer, and it usually affects overweight people because the lesions are restricted to folds of skin because they need moist conditions. It is thought to be caused by an accumulation of fat-storing cells that then release inflammatory proteins. The friction from the skin folds then worsens this and triggers the production of the lesions.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is somewhat unusual for the condition, which is usually characterised by dry patches, in that for this variant, the patches are filled with pus. However, they do eventually dry up, leaving behind the dry patches which are more common. In truth, the cause of pustular psoriasis is still up for debate among many medical professionals. Some believe that it is due to extreme, sudden inflammation, which kills the white blood cells.
Scalp Psoriasis
As the name suggests, scalp psoriasis is localised to the head and neck. As a result, it can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff. But unlike dandruff, scalp psoriasis is characterised by sharply defined scales, whereas dandruff often manifests as ill-defined scales which are often yellow and greasy in appearance. It can be difficult to treat because it is hard to apply topical medications through the hair, and it can be exacerbated by styling and products.
Summary
The truth is that psoriasis, like a lot of skin conditions, cannot be cured as of yet, but it can be managed with the right treatment. Home remedies can have some success, but medical intervention tends to yield the best results, so bear that in mind.