Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects approximately 2-3% of the population. The disease can start at any time in life, from early childhood to late adulthood. However, the most common onset of psoriasis is between the ages of 15 and 30.
It is a chronic skin disease that lasts a lifetime and can vary in extent and intensity. Each flare-up typically subsides but is often followed by new flare-ups. Some individuals may experience years without skin lesions, while others may have mild or extensive rashes continuously.
Despite psoriasis manifesting as skin rashes, there is documented increased risk of various comorbidities. Examples of these comorbidities include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, less than 10% of psoriasis patients also have inflammation in their joints, known as psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot acquire the disease by touching someone with psoriasis, sharing the same swimming pool, or through intimate contact.
The skin exhibits red and scaly patches. Thicker psoriatic plaques can have a grayish-white color. When the rash subsides, the skin returns to normal.
Most individuals experience some degree of itching, but only 10-20% experience severe itching. Cracks and sores may also develop within the rash, causing pain, burning, and discomfort.
Typical psoriasis appears on the scalp, elbows, and knees. It is also often found on the lower back, around the navel, genital area, front of the shins, hands, feet, and nails. Facial involvement is rare. There are subtypes of psoriasis (including palmoplantar, inverse psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis), which are not further discussed here.
Psoriasis can present with varying extent and severity. Some patients may have only a few small coin-sized patches, while others may be more extensively covered with lesions. In cases of widespread involvement (erythroderma), patients may experience systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue.
The diagnosis can be made based on the extent and appearance of the rash. If there is doubt about the diagnosis, a biopsy (tissue sample) can be taken. There are no blood tests or other tests that can definitively confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by adisturbance in the body's immune system. This disturbance leads to asignificant increase in cell turnover in the epidermis, resulting in theproduction of skin cells at a much faster rate than normal. This leads tothickened and scaly skin. The skin's blood circulation may also be increased,causing redness in the rash.
The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but itis believed to have a genetic predisposition. If both of your parents havepsoriasis, there is approximately a 40-50% chance that you or your child willdevelop psoriasis. About 30% of the patients with the disease have closerelatives with psoriasis.
In addition to a genetic predisposition, one or moreenvironmental factors are likely needed to trigger and maintain psoriasis.Examples of such environmental factors include infections (includingstreptococcal pharyngitis), stress, medications, alcohol, and obesity.
