It is not contagious, but anyone can get sick.
What is psoriasis?
It is a common, chronic, non-infectious disease that affects about 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
The manifestation of the disease is as follows. The skin cells divide 10 times faster than usual, layering on top of each other to form raised red patches covered with silvery-white scales. These sores can appear anywhere, but most commonly on the head, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Here are a few more signs that appear along with the spots:
Itching and burning;
Thickening and tiny pits on the nails;
Swollen and painful joints.
There may be other symptoms: it depends on the type of psoriasis.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven types in total:
Common, aka vulgar. The most common type: raised red and inflamed skin covered with white scales.
Droplet-shaped. Small pink-red spots, usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms, and torso.
Psoriasis of the nails. They become yellow-brown, soft, and may separate from the socket. Notches or thickenings appear.
Pustular. A rare form of the disease may be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness, and frequent pulse. Pus bumps pop up on the hands, feet, and fingers, surrounded by red skin.
Inverse. Smooth and shiny red spots without scales. Most often appear in the groin, armpits, under the breasts, and buttocks.
Erythrodermic. Rare but dangerous type. Covers most of the body with a red, itchy, flaky rash.
Psoriatic arthritis. In addition to plaques on the skin, causes pain and swelling of the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it happens to adults more often than to children.
The exact causes of the disease are unknown. But it is believed that it is an autoimmune disease: immune system cells, aka white blood cells, become hyperactive and attack healthy tissues by mistake.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
infection;
stress;
Smoking or drinking alcohol;
sunburn;
vitamin D deficiency;
certain drugs and substances - lithium drugs, beta-blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides.
You can't catch psoriasis. It is not transmitted by contact with the patient's skin.
How psoriasis is treated
It is impossible to get rid of psoriasis, but it is possible to relieve its symptoms. Choosing treatments and medications is difficult. What worked for one person is sometimes not suitable for another. It is up to the dermatologist to make and adjust the treatment plan.
Skin creams and ointments
They are used to soothe flaky skin, reduce itching and slow down skin cell growth. Here are these external remedies:
hormonal ointments;
Shampoos and ointments with coal tar;
Calcitriol ointments;
Retinoid products.
Phototherapy
This therapy is also used simply for people who would like to look better. Thus, led facial light is applied to areas of inflammation and emits LED wavelengths of certain wavelengths onto the skin. Skin irradiation with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is done in a hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist. Phototherapy is usually used in conjunction with external medications.
The easiest form is regular sunlight. But even if you decide to sunbathe, you should first discuss it with your doctor. This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
This is the heavy artillery when other ways don't work. The doctor prescribes a course of pills or injections that work on the whole body.
Prescribing drugs yourself or taking them on the advice of someone you know is a very bad idea. Don't do that, but go to a doctor!
