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Psoriasis
Medical Questions » Psoriasis
| Name: Psoriasis |
| Also known as: |
| An annoying, distressing, persistent and difficult to treat skin disease that affects 2% of the population. |
Causes of Psoriasis
An autoimmune disease in which the body' s immune system is inappropriately triggered to reject tissue as though it was a foreign material. In psoriasis, varying parts of the skin are rejected. It is unusual in children but becomes more common as age increases. |
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Appears as a small patch of red skin covered with fine scales that gradually enlarges, roughens and thickens the skin. Other spots may start over a period of months. The elbows, knees and scalp are the most common sites. On the scalp, it may appear to be a bad case of dandruff. The nails may also be affected, and become rough and pitted. The Koebner phenomenon occurs when psoriasis develops on areas of skin that have been injured, and may appear as a line of inflamed skin along a healed cut or surgical incision, or a patch at the site of a previous graze. |
Tests for Psoriasis
Psoriasis has many subtypes, and it is often necessary to perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. |
Treatment for Psoriasis
Involves one or more of a number of creams or ointments that are used regularly on the skin. Coal tar is the mainstay of treatment, but calcipotriol and steroid creams are also very effective. Other skin preparations include dithranol, salicylic acid and psoralen. Ultraviolet light may be used in conjunction with psoralen to promote healing. In very severe cases, steroid tablets or injections, or acitretin tablets, may be given.
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Complications of Psoriasis of its treatment
In severe cases the joints may be attacked to cause a type of arthritis. |
Likely Outcome of Psoriasis
May come and go without any treatment. There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can usually be successfully controlled. |
See related questions here.
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