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Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis; Psoriasis vulgaris; Guttate psoriasis; Pustular psoriasis

 

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales .

Causes

 

Psoriasis is very common. Anyone can develop it, but it most often begins between ages 15 to 35.

Psoriasis isn't contagious. This means it doesn't spread to other people.

Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Health care providers think it may be an autoimmune condition . This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and inflames or destroys healthy body tissue.

Normal skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface about once a month. When you have psoriasis, this process takes place in 2 weeks rather than in 3 to 4 weeks. This results in dead skin cells building up on the skin's surface, forming the patches of scales.

The following may trigger an attack of psoriasis or make it harder to treat:

  • Infections from bacteria or viruses, including strep throat and upper respiratory infections
  • Dry air or dry skin
  • Injury to the skin, including cuts, burns, and insect bites
  • Some medicines, including antimalaria drugs, beta-blockers, and lithium
  • Stress
  • Too little sunlight
  • Too much sunlight (sunburn)
  • Drinking too much alcohol

Psoriasis may be worse in people who have a weak immune system. This may be due to:

  • AIDS
  • Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis )
  • Cancer chemotherapy

Some people with psoriasis also have arthritis ( psoriatic arthritis ).

 

Symptoms

 

Psoriasis can appear suddenly or slowly. Many times, it goes away and then comes back.

The main symptom of the condition is irritated, red, flaky patches of skin. The medical term for the patches is plaques. Plaques are most often seen on the elbows, knees, and middle of the body. But they can appear anywhere, including on the scalp, palms, and soles of the feet.

The skin may be:

  • Itchy
  • Dry and covered with silver, flaky skin (scales)
  • Pink-red in color (like the color of salmon)
  • Raised and thick

Other symptoms may include:

  • Genital sores in males
  • Joint pain or aching
  • Nail changes , including thick nails, yellow-brown nails, dents in the nail, and a lifting of the nail from the skin underneath
  • Severe dandruff on the scalp

There are 5 main types of psoriasis:

  • Erythrodermic. The skin redness is very intense and covers a large area.
  • Guttate . Small, pink-red spots appear on the skin. This form seems to be linked to strep infections.
  • Inverse. Skin redness and irritation occur in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping skin.
  • Plaque. Thick, red patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales. This is the most common type of psoriasis.
  • Pustular. White pus-filled blisters (pustules) are surrounded by red, irritated skin.

 

Exams and Tests

 

Your provider can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin.

Sometimes, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other possible conditions. If you have joint pain, your provider may order x-rays.

 

Treatment

 

The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and prevent infection.

Three treatment options are available:

  • Skin lotions, ointments, creams, and shampoos. These are called topical treatments.
  • Pills or injections that affect the body's immune response, not just the skin. These are called systemic, or body-wide, treatments.
  • Phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis.

TREATMENTS USED ON THE SKIN (TOPICAL)

Most of the time, psoriasis is treated with medicines that are placed directly on the skin or scalp. These may include:

  • Cortisone creams and ointments
  • Creams or ointments that contain coal tar or anthralin
  • Creams to remove the scaling (usually salicylic acid or lactic acid)
  • Dandruff shampoos (over-the-counter or prescription)
  • Moisturizers
  • Prescription medicines containing vitamin D or vitamin A (retinoids)

SYSTEMIC (BODY-WIDE) TREATMENTS

If you have very severe psoriasis, your provider will likely recommend medicines that suppress the immune system's faulty response. These medicines include methotrexate or cyclosporine. Retinoids can also be used.

Newer drugs called biologics are used when other treatments do not work. Biologics approved for the treatment of psoriasis include:

  • Adalimumab (Humira)
  • Etanercept (Enbrel)
  • Infliximab (Remicade)
  • Ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • Secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • Apremilast (Otezla)
  • Ixekizumab (Taltz)

PHOTOTHERAPY

Some people may choose to have phototherapy:

  • This is treatment in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light.
  • It may be given alone or after you take a drug that makes the skin sensitive to light.
  • Phototherapy for psoriasis can be given as ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

OTHER TREATMENTS

If you have an infection, your provider will prescribe antibiotics.

HOME CARE

Following these tips at home may help:

  • Taking a daily bath or shower. Try not to scrub too hard because this can irritate the skin and trigger an attack.
  • Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. You can use over-the-counter oatmeal bath products. Or, you can mix 1 cup (240 mL) of oatmeal into a tub (bath) of warm water.
  • Keeping your skin clean and moist, and avoiding your specific psoriasis triggers may help reduce the number of flare-ups.
  • Sunlight may help your symptoms go away. Be careful not to get sunburned.
  • Relaxation and anti-stress techniques. The link between stress and flares of psoriasis is not well understood.
  • Limiting the alcoholic beverages you drink may help keep psoriasis from getting worse.

 

Support Groups

 

Some people may benefit from a psoriasis support group . The National Psoriasis Foundation is a good resource: www.psoriasis.org .

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Psoriasis can be a lifelong condition that can be controlled with treatment. It may go away for a long time and then return. With proper treatment, it will not affect your overall health. But be aware that there is a strong link between psoriasis and other health problems, such as heart disease.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you have symptoms of psoriasis or if your skin irritation continues despite treatment.

Tell your provider if you have joint pain or fever with your psoriasis attacks.

If you have symptoms of arthritis, talk to your dermatologist or rheumatologist.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a severe outbreak that covers all or most of your body.

 

Prevention

 

There is no known way to prevent psoriasis. Keeping the skin clean and moist and avoiding your psoriasis triggers may help reduce the number of flare-ups.

Providers recommend daily baths or showers for people with psoriasis. Avoid scrubbing too hard, because this can irritate the skin and trigger an attack.

 

 

Open References

References

Gordon KB, Blauvelt A, Papp KA, et al. Phase 3 Trials of Ixekizumab in Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis. N Engl J Med . 2016;375(4):345-356. PMID: 27299809 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27299809 .

Habif TP. Psoriasis and other papulosquamous diseases. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 8.

Lebwohl MG, van de Kerkhof PCM. Psoriasis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Berth-Jones J, Coulson I, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 203.

Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol . 2011;62(1):114-135. PMID: 19811850 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19811850 .

 
  • Psoriasis

    Psoriasis

    Animation

    •  

    Psoriasis - Animation

    Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. Psoriasis may affect you at any age, but it usually begins between the ages of 15 and 35. You can't spread this disorder to others, but it does seem to be passed down through families. We think it probably occurs when your immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances. Skin cells grow deep in your skin, normally rising to the surface about once a month. But, in people with psoriasis, this process occurs too fast, usually happening in only about 2 weeks, and dead skin cells build up on your skin's surface. Many factors can trigger psoriasis, or make it more difficult to treat, including bacterial or viral infections, dry air or skin, injuries to your skin, some medications, stress, too much or too little sunlight, and even too much alcohol. In general, psoriasis may be very bad in people who have a weakened immune system. Psoriasis can appear suddenly or it can appear slowly. Often, it goes away and then flares up again, time after time. If you have psoriasis, you'll probably have irritated patches of skin on your body, often on your elbows and knees. But it can show up anywhere on your body, even your scalp. The skin patches may be itchy, dry and covered with silver, flaky scales. They may be pink in color and raised and thick. So, what do you do about psoriasis? Well, your doctor will need to look at your skin to make a diagnosis. Sometimes the doctor will take a skin sample, or a biopsy, to rule out other possible problems. Your treatment will focus on controlling your symptoms and preventing infections. In general, you have three options: topical medications like lotions or creams, pills or injections that affect your whole body, and therapy that uses light to treat psoriasis. But most people tend to use creams or ointments they place directly on their skin. Psoriasis is a life-long condition you can control with treatment. It may go away for a long time and then suddenly return. Fortunately, with the right treatment, it usually does not affect your general physical health.

  • Psoriasis on the knuckles

    Psoriasis on the knuckles - illustration

    This is a picture of a typical case of psoriasis, with small lesions on the knuckles. Note the changes in the fingernails.

    Psoriasis on the knuckles

    illustration

  • Psoriasis

    Animation

    •  

    Psoriasis - Animation

    Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. Psoriasis may affect you at any age, but it usually begins between the ages of 15 and 35. You can't spread this disorder to others, but it does seem to be passed down through families. We think it probably occurs when your immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances. Skin cells grow deep in your skin, normally rising to the surface about once a month. But, in people with psoriasis, this process occurs too fast, usually happening in only about 2 weeks, and dead skin cells build up on your skin's surface. Many factors can trigger psoriasis, or make it more difficult to treat, including bacterial or viral infections, dry air or skin, injuries to your skin, some medications, stress, too much or too little sunlight, and even too much alcohol. In general, psoriasis may be very bad in people who have a weakened immune system. Psoriasis can appear suddenly or it can appear slowly. Often, it goes away and then flares up again, time after time. If you have psoriasis, you'll probably have irritated patches of skin on your body, often on your elbows and knees. But it can show up anywhere on your body, even your scalp. The skin patches may be itchy, dry and covered with silver, flaky scales. They may be pink in color and raised and thick. So, what do you do about psoriasis? Well, your doctor will need to look at your skin to make a diagnosis. Sometimes the doctor will take a skin sample, or a biopsy, to rule out other possible problems. Your treatment will focus on controlling your symptoms and preventing infections. In general, you have three options: topical medications like lotions or creams, pills or injections that affect your whole body, and therapy that uses light to treat psoriasis. But most people tend to use creams or ointments they place directly on their skin. Psoriasis is a life-long condition you can control with treatment. It may go away for a long time and then suddenly return. Fortunately, with the right treatment, it usually does not affect your general physical health.

  • Psoriasis on the knuckles

    Psoriasis on the knuckles - illustration

    This is a picture of a typical case of psoriasis, with small lesions on the knuckles. Note the changes in the fingernails.

    Psoriasis on the knuckles

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

Self Care

 

    Tests for Psoriasis

     
       

      Review Date: 7/23/2015

      Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Internal review and update on 09/01/2016 by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

      The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

       
       
       

       

       

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