Psoriasis – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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Treatment of Psoriasis needs a customised approach to individual symptoms expertise of more than few decades to treat is permanently. CUREplus Psoriasis treatment available exclusively at Welling Clinic can help you reduce the time of recovery and get completely cured of Psoriasis if started early. Meet our specialists today to know how Welling Homeopathy Clinic can make a difference in your recovery process from Psoriasis.

Psoriasis Clinic Psoriasis – Symptoms and Causes

The cause of psoriasis is unclear but involves immune stimulation of epidermal keratinocytes; T cells seem to play a central role. Family history is common, and certain genes and human leukocyte antigens (Cw6, B13, B17) are associated with psoriasis. Genome wide linkage analysis has identified numerous psoriasis susceptibility loci; the PSORS1 locus on chromosome 6p21 plays the greatest role in determining a patient’s susceptibility of developing psoriasis. An environmental trigger is thought to evoke an inflammatory response and subsequent hyperproliferation of keratinocytes.

What are Psoriasis triggers

Well-identified triggers include
  • Injury (Koebner phenomenon)
  • Sunburn
  • HIV infection
    Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (leading to guttate psoriasis)
  • Drugs (especially beta-blockers, chloroquine, lithium, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, indomethacin, terbinafine, and interferon-alfa)
  • Emotional stress
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Obesity

 How Psoriasis Develops ? What are Causes of Psoriasis ?

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. It’s not known exactly why this happens, but research suggests it’s caused by a problem with the immune system.Your body produces new skin cells in the deepest layer of skin. These skin cells gradually move up through the layers of skin until they reach the outermost level, where they die and flake off. This whole process normally takes around 3 to 4 weeks.However, in people with psoriasis, this process only takes about 3 to 7 days. As a result, cells that are not fully mature build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, causing flaky, crusty red patches covered with silvery scales.
Problems with the immune systemYour immune system is your body’s defence against disease and it helps fight infection. One of the main types of cell used by the immune system is called a T-cell.T-cells normally travel through the body to detect and fight invading germs, such as bacteria. But in people with psoriasis, they start to attack healthy skin cells by mistake.This causes the deepest layer of skin to produce new skin cells more quickly than usual, triggering the immune system to produce more T-cells.It’s not known what exactly causes this problem with the immune system, although certain genes and environmental triggers may play a role.
GeneticsPsoriasis runs in families, so you may be more likely to get psoriasis if you have a close relative with the condition, but the exact role genetics plays in psoriasis is unclear.Research has shown that many different genes are linked to the development of psoriasis, and it’s likely that different combinations of genes may make people more vulnerable to the condition.However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you’ll develop psoriasis.

 What are Risk factors for Psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects about one million Canadians. It usually appears between the ages of 15 and 35, although it may occur at any age. Men and women are equally affected and people of all races are affected.There may be a genetic component to psoriasis, so family history is an important risk factor for psoriasis. If you speak to your doctor about psoriasis, be sure to mention any family members who have also had skin conditions.It is important to note that psoriasis is not contagious and can’t be spread to others.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Plaque psoriasis

Plaques appear as raised, inflamed and scaly patches of skin that may also be itchy and painful. On Caucasian skin, plaques typically appear as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. On skin of color, the plaques may appear darker and thicker and more of a purple or grayish color or darker brown.

Plaques can appear anywhere on the body, although they most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. Plaques generally appear symmetrically on the body, affecting the same areas of the body on the right and left side.

Plaque psoriasis often accompanies nail psoriasis which may look like discoloration, pitting or separation of the nail from the nail bed.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is the second most common type of psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 10% of people with psoriasis have guttate psoriasis.

This type of psoriasis can appear at any age, but it generally starts to develop in childhood or young adulthood.

The condition has this name because its characteristic small, red, scaly skin patches resemble tears or raindrops.

While the lesions in plaque psoriasis are large with a covering of thick, silvery scales, the patches in guttate psoriasis are much smaller and thinner.

Several hundred of these small, drop-shaped patches may appear on the arms, legs, torso, scalp, face, and ears.

Patches can appear almost anywhere on the body but often occur on the:

  • elbows
  • knees
  • scalp
  • lower back
  • face
  • palms
  • soles of the feet

Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails, toenails, and mouth. Guttate and plaque psoriasis might occur at the same time.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Scalp psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, flaky, scaly and raised patches of skin on the scalp. There is a possibility of this condition to spread to the back of your neck, your ears and forehead.

Scalp psoriasis is characterized by red, raised patches of skin on the scalp. The exact cause of scalp psoriasis is unknown. However, doctors associate this condition with immune system responses that cause skin cells to grow rapidly, resulting in these patches. A person is likely to develop the condition if they have a family history of it.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Inverse Psoriasis?

Inverse psoriasis is a painful and difficult type of psoriasis that forms in the body’s skin folds, such as the armpits, genitals, and under the breasts or buttocks. Because these skin folds are called flexures, it also is known as flexural psoriasis.

This type of psoriasis is the inverse — or opposite — of the more common plaque psoriasis, which occurs on the outer, extensor surfaces of the body, such as the knees and elbows.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Nail psoriasis?

Psoriasis causes a variety of both specific as well as ambiguous nail lesions. Fingernails are more frequently affected than toe nails, probably because they grow faster. Particularly, for scientific purposes, nail psoriasis is often divided into matrix and nail bed involvement or both, which is also reflected in many trials differentiating the response into general, more on matrix or nail bed psoriasis. Pits are the most characteristic and most frequent signs and are seen as small, sharply delimited depressions in the nail surface. They are of remarkably even size and depth. Their distribution may be haphazard or they may sometimes be arranged in parallel transverse or short longitudinal lines. They are the result of tiny psoriatic foci in the apical matrix producing parakeratosis, which breaks off when it grows out from under the proximal nail fold then leaving these depressions. Sometimes, the para-keratosis remains and is seen as an ivory-colored spot in the proximal half of the nail plate. Pits may be single, which is not yet psoriasis specific, or multiple. Ten pits in one nail or >50 pits on all nails are regarded as proof of psoriasis. Red spots in the lunula usually represent a very active psoriasis lesion with dilatation of the capillaries and thinning of the suprapapillary plate. Red or mottled lunulae are due to the dilatation of matrix blood vessels.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis consisting of sheets of pustules on erythematous background. Pustular psoriasis is a form of psoriasis characterized by multiple tender sterile pustules with an underlying, blotchy, erythematous base. It has been classified into localized and generalized forms. Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is the development of extensive sterile pustules with widespread erythema. The von Zumbusch type often starts abruptly and can be associated with painful skin, fever, and chills. Treatment depends on the extent of involvement, severity, and underlying risk factors.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is an uncommon but severe form of psoriasis. The rash is characterized by full-body inflammation, typically covering more than 75 percent of skin. The psoriasis is very rare, accounting for just 3 percent of people who have the condition. In addition to presenting as a full-body rash, this psoriasis causes severe protein and fluid loss, which can lead to severe illness. This includes edema, or swelling from fluid retention, and infection.

Erythrodermic psoriasis can be life threatening.

When to see a doctor for Psoriasis?

Although psoriasis is just a minor irritation for some people, it can have a significant impact on quality of life for those more severely affected.

For example, some people with psoriasis have low self-esteem because of the effect the condition has on their appearance. It’s also quite common to develop tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue. This is known as psoriatic arthritis.

If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis, which is sometimes a complication of psoriasis, you may be referred to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specialises in arthritis). You may have blood tests to rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and X-rays of the affected joints may be taken.

What are Complications of Psoriasis?

  • Having psoriasis could put you at risk for developing other medical conditions. Your skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, providing hydration, and protecting against infection.When skin disorders such as psoriasis affect the body, certain changes take place that may lead to additional problems.
  • Doctors aren’t sure if the risk of developing other conditions is solely related to the disease itself or if psoriasis treatment also plays a role.According to the NPF, about 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, which is a form of psoriasis that affects the joints. People with psoriatic arthritis suffer from painful, swollen joints and other symptoms.You can develop psoriatic arthritis any time, but it most commonly appears between age 30 and 50.
  • Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can increase your risk of developing the following health problems: Cancer: People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. In a study published in March 2016 the journal JAMA Dermatology, researchers found that while overall cancer risk is low, people with psoriasis had a 34 percent increased chance of developing lymphoma, a 15 percent increased chance of developing lung cancer, and a 12 percent increased chance of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer.  Still, the authors note that further work is needed to determine what role psoriasis has on the development of these cancers versus the medication the patients took to treat the skin condition.
  • Cardiovascular Disease: You’re more likely to have this condition if you have severe forms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. In fact, individuals with severe psoriasis are 58 percent more likely to have a major cardiac event and 43 percent more likely to have a stroke, according to the NPF.  Some research shows that treating psoriasis may help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Celiac Disease: This autoimmune disorder causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. A study published in 2010 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that more than a third of people with psoriasis have elevated antibodies to gliadin in their blood.  (Gliadin is the protein in wheat that cannot be properly digested by people who have celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.)
  • Crohn’s Disease: This chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract has been linked to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. According to a study published in July 2013 in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Disease, 10 percent of women with psoriasis developed a type of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. Those who had both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were at an even greater risk of having Crohn’s.
  • Depression: Having psoriasis can lead to emotional issues, such as low self-esteem and depression. A study published in May 2014 in the Journal of Rheumatology found that having psoriatic arthritis may put you at a greater risk for depression than having psoriasis only.  The good news is that treating your psoriasis symptoms may help improve depression.
  • Diabetes: According to a study published in January 2015 in the journal Clinical Diabetes, people with severe psoriasis are 30 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes — a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels — and approximately 9 percent of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have psoriasis. 
  • Tell your doctor if you experience any symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which may include hunger, increased thirst, blurred vision, or fatigue.
  • Eye Diseases: Certain eye conditions are more common in people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These may include conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye), uveitis (an inflammatory disease of the eye), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid). An estimated 7 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis will develop uveitis.
  • Hearing Problems: People with psoriatic diseases may be at an increased risk for developing hearing difficulties. A study published in October 2014 in the Journal of Rheumatology found more than 31 percent of individuals with psoriatic arthritis experienced hearing loss. (16)High Blood Pressure Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis could increase your risk of having high blood pressure.
  • If blood pressure is uncontrolled, it can lead to coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, or kidney failure.
  • Kidney Disease: People with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease. A study published in 2013 in the journal BMJ found participants with severe psoriasis are twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease as those who had mild psoriasis or no psoriasis.
  • Liver Problems: People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may have an increased risk for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition where too much fat is stored in liver cells.
  • Obesity: Experts aren’t sure exactly why, but obesity is strongly associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Some research suggests that it’s the psoriasis that could lead to obesity, while other studies have shown people who are obese are more likely to develop certain forms of psoriasis. Losing weight may help improve psoriasis symptoms.

What is Homeopathy Treatment of Psoriasis?

Homeopathy medicines for psoriasis are chosen based on your individual symptoms and part affected. The treatment is developed for you individually after a detailed pre-treatment analysis and assessment. Having treated more than 10,000 patients from over 108 countries, you are in safest and expert hands when you visit any Welling Clinic for treatment of psoriasis.