Frequently Asked Questions About Psoriasis
AuraSoothe Life-Healing Sciences LLC has compiled the information in this section from Psoriasis Associations such as The National Psoriasis Foundation to help educate its customers about this complex and frequently misunderstood disease. Information is provided about its appearance, symptoms and social effects. The information contained in this section is general in its scope and not intended to diagnose or treat a particular skin condition. We urge you to consult with your doctor/healthcare professional about your personal skin disorders. We have also provided information in this Resources section to assist you to find an appropriate doctor/healthcare professional.
Psoriasis Definition
What are the different types of psoriasis?
What are the most irritating locations for psoriasis?
What causes psoriasis?
What does psoriasis look like?
How serious is psoriasis?
Who contracts it and where does it come from?
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
Psoriasis Definition
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic skin disease. There are different types of psoriasis and each type may vary in its level of severity. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, most researchers now conclude that psoriasis is related to the immune system.
The National Psoriasis Foundation also reports that between 10 percent and 30 percent of people afflicted with psoriasis also develop a related form of arthritis, called psoriatic (sore-ee-AA-tic) arthritis.
Psoriasis is not contagious. In general, it is a condition that is often found on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. More than 4.5 million adults in the United States alone have it. In some countries such as India, significant portions of the population may have it in one form or another.
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What are the different types of psoriasis?
There are five different types of psoriasis; the most common of which is "plaque psoriasis." Plaque psoriasis is characterized by well-defined patches of red, raised skin. About 80 percent of people with psoriasis have this type. Plaque psoriasis can appear on any skin surface, although the knees, elbows, scalp, trunk and nails are the most common locations.
The other types of psoriasis are:
Guttate: Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small, red, individual drops on the skin
Inverse: Inverse psoriasis is characterized by smooth, dry areas of skin, often in folds or creases, that are red and inflamed but do not have scaling
Erythrodermic: Erythrodermic psoriasis is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin
Pustular: Pustular psoriasis may involve either generalized, widespread areas of reddened skin, or localized areas, particularly the hands and feet (palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis)
Typically, people have only one form of psoriasis at a time. Sometimes two different types can occur simultaneously, one type may change to another type, or one type may become more severe. For example, a trigger may convert plaque psoriasis to pustular.
Although the reasons for the changes are not well understood, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, some triggers may include abrupt withdrawal of medications; an allergic, drug-induced rash that brings on the Koebner response (psoriasis appearing on the site of skin injuries); and severe sunburning.
The different types of psoriasis not only have different appearances, but also may require different types of treatment. It is for this reason that AuraSoothe Life-Healing Sciences LLC reminds you that it is very important that you consult with your doctor/healthcare provider about what course of action to take with your type of psoriasis.
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What are the most irritating locations for psoriasis?
Scalp: Scalp psoriasis occurs in at least half of all people with psoriasis. It can range from very mild with fine scaling to very severe with thick, crusted plaques.
Genitals: Genital psoriasis acts similar to other affected parts of the body. But because of the sensitivity of the skin, this type may require special consideration.
Hands and Feet: Pustular psoriasis can impair a person's ability to work or even to walk comfortably. Plaque psoriasis can dry out the skin and cause cracking and bleeding.
Nails: Nail changes occur in about half of those with psoriasis and 80 percent of those with psoriatic arthritis. The nails may have small holes (pitting), a changed shape (deformation), separation from the skin (oncholyosis) and discoloration.
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What causes psoriasis?
Researchers believe the immune system sends faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle in skin cells.
Certain people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis, but not everyone with these genes develops psoriasis. Instead, a "trigger" makes the psoriasis appear in those who have these genes. In addition, some triggers may work together to cause an outbreak of psoriasis; which makes it difficult to identify individual factors.
Possible psoriasis triggers:
- Emotional stress
- Injury to the skin
- Some types of infection
- Reaction to certain drugs
Once the disease is triggered, the skin cells multiply and pile up on the surface of the body faster than normal. In people without psoriasis, skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days. In psoriatic skin, the skin cells move rapidly up to the surface of the skin over three to six days. Because the body can not shed the skin cells fast enough, patches (also called "lesions") form on the surface of the skin.
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What does psoriasis look like?
Psoriasis generally appears as patches of raised red skin covered by a flaky white buildup. In certain kinds of psoriasis, it also has a pimple-ish (pustular psoriasis) or burned (erythrodermic) appearance.
Psoriasis can cause intense itching and burning.
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How serious is psoriasis?
Doctors/Healthcare providers measure psoriasis in terms of its physical and emotional impact. Physically, if less then 2 percent of the body is involved, the case is considered mild. Between 3 and 10 percent is considered moderate, and more than 10 percent is severe. (The palm of one hand equals 1 percent.)
Psoriasis also is measured by its impact on quality of life. When psoriasis involves the hands and feet, it may also be considered severe because of how it affects a person's ability to function. Or, if a person's psychological or emotional well-being is considerably affected, such may also be considered severe.
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Who contracts psoriasis and where does it come from?
- Psoriasis is a genetic disease. A family association exists in one out of three cases.
- It often appears between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age.
- About 10 percent to 15 percent of those with psoriasis contract it before age 10, and occasionally it appears in infancy.
- Psoriasis is not contagious-no one can "catch" it from another person.
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How is psoriasis diagnosed?
There is no blood test for psoriasis. Doctors/Healthcare providers usually diagnose it by examining the affected skin. Less often, a small piece of skin affected by the psoriasis is cut out and examined under a microscope.
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