Psoriasis is a chronic disease based on an issue with the immune system. It is a recurring autoimmune disease which causes raised small to large red or silvery patches on various parts of the body. The red and silvery patches occur due to an abnormal high growth rate of skin cells. There is a clear border between patches of psoriasis and normal skin.

Psoriasis can be a very painful and embarrassing skin condition. In some cases it is very painful, and in others even if it does not hurt at a certain stage it can be seen. It is embarrassing while also stressful. Psoriasis can run in families.

Everyone is susceptible to psoriasis but it is not contagious. Psoriasis cannot be transferred by one unrelated person to another. Often psoriasis starts for a person between the age 10 and 40, although it can also start at any age. Psoriasis can persist through life, can come and go, or may go away permanently. Lighter skinned people have greater risk to get psoriasis. Psoriasis affects between 1-5% of the population worldwide

Flare ups of Psoriasis can begin from stress, sickness, sunburn, environmental factors, injury to the skin, or no apparent reason. Often psoriasis can worsen in the winter. Psoriasis can also worsen from a multitude of drugs which trigger psoriasis.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Generally Psoriasis starts as one of more small patches. The person may think they bumped their knee, elbow, back, or scalp. Or they may think they have gotten an insect bite and not realized it was the start of psoriasis. Psoriasis can grow to feet, legs, buttocks, genitals, stomach, back, sides, arms, hands, face, ears, and scalp.

Psoriasis patches may clear up or may remain and worsen in coming months after psoriasis has first begun. Psoriasis can be most difficult when on hands, feet, in folds of skin, or on the genitals. Generally areas that may have more rubbing from clothing or activity can make psoriasis painful instead of just itchy or uncomfortable.

Sunlight is one of the best ways to decrease symptoms of Psoriasis. Sunlight and summer have a healing effect in contract to winter. Because of the healing affect of sunlight, phototherapy has been incredibly useful in treating psoriasis symptoms.

Types of Psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis  is where not only skin affected but there is also the joint pain of arthritis with swelling and lack of mobility.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is where skin all over body has red scales. This can be dangerous since the skin does not get to serve as a protective barrier as well.

Pustular Psoriasis is where there are small and large puss filled blisters on he hands and feet. There may be blisters on other areas of the body as well.

Inverse Psoriasis is found in skin fold areas, especially in people who are overweight. Inverse psoriasis is usually triggered by friction and sweating in skin fold areas.

Plaque Psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. It is also known as psoriasis vulgaris, affecting about 80% of people with the psoriasis disease. People with plaque psoriasis have raised red, inflamed areas on the skin called plaques. This type of psoriasis usually affects the scalp, back, knees, elbows, and / or chest.

Guttate psoriasis is the second most common form of psoriasi with small red marks on the skin that can cover a large portion of the body. Guttate psoriasis is usually found on the legs, chest, back, or arms after a bacterial infection.

Psoriasis Treatment

Phototherapy

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light with phototherapy can clear up Psoriasis for several months at a time. Phototherapy is sometimes used with topical drugs. phototherapy is by far the safest treatment route with rare issues.

Topical drugs

Topical drugs are applied to the skin. Some are more safe than others. They best used in conjunction with Phototherapy under the direction of a doctor.

Oral drugs

Drugs taken by the mouth are usually immunosuppressant drugs. All immunosuppressant drugs have side effects and a good chance of long term damage to organs, birth defects by pregnant women, and immunity issues.