Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of
skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the
skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that are itchy
and sometimes painful.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that often comes and goes. The main
goal of treatment is to stop the skin cells from growing so quickly.
There is no cure for psoriasis, but you can manage symptoms.
Lifestyle measures, such as moisturizing, quitting smoking and managing
stress, may help.
Psoriasis signs and symptoms are different for everyone. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
- Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
- Itching, burning or soreness
- Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
- Swollen and stiff joints
Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas.
Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or
months, then subsiding for a time or even going into complete
remission.
The cause of psoriasis isn't fully understood, but it's thought to be
related to an immune system problem with T cells and other white blood
cells, called neutrophils, in your body.
T cells normally travel through the body to defend against foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria.
But if you have psoriasis, the T cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake, as if to heal a wound or to fight an infection.
Overactive T cells also trigger increased production of healthy skin
cells, more T cells and other white blood cells, especially neutrophils.
These travel into the skin causing redness and sometimes pus in
pustular lesions. Dilated blood vessels in psoriasis-affected areas
create warmth and redness in the skin lesions.
The process becomes an ongoing cycle in which new skin cells move to
the outermost layer of skin too quickly — in days rather than weeks.
Skin cells build up in thick, scaly patches on the skin's surface,
continuing until treatment stops the cycle.
Just what causes T cells to malfunction in people with psoriasis
isn't entirely clear. Researchers believe both genetics and
environmental factors play a role.
Anyone can develop psoriasis, but these factors can increase your risk of developing the disease:
- Family history. This is one of the most significant
risk factors. Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk of
getting the disease, and having two parents with psoriasis increases
your risk even more.
- Viral and bacterial infections. People with HIV are
more likely to develop psoriasis than people with healthy immune
systems are. Children and young adults with recurring infections,
particularly strep throat, also may be at increased risk.
- Stress. Because stress can impact your immune system, high stress levels may increase your risk of psoriasis.
- Obesity. Excess weight increases the risk of
psoriasis. Lesions (plaques) associated with all types of psoriasis
often develop in skin creases and folds.
- Smoking. Smoking tobacco not only increases your
risk of psoriasis but also may increase the severity of the disease.
Smoking may also play a role in the initial development of the disease.
If you have psoriasis, you're at greater risk of developing certain diseases. These include:
- Psoriatic arthritis. This complication of psoriasis can cause joint damage and a loss of function in some joints, which can be debilitating.
- Eye conditions. Certain eye disorders — such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis — are more common in people with psoriasis.
- Obesity. People with psoriasis, especially those
with more severe disease, are more likely to be obese. It's not clear
how these diseases are linked, however. The inflammation linked to
obesity may play a role in the development of psoriasis. Or it may be
that people with psoriasis are more likely to gain weight, possibly
because they're less active because of their psoriasis.
- Type 2 diabetes. The risk of type 2 diabetes rises
in people with psoriasis. The more severe the psoriasis, the greater the
likelihood of type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure. The odds of having high blood pressure are higher for people with psoriasis.
- Cardiovascular disease. For people with psoriasis,
the risk of cardiovascular disease is twice as high as it is for those
without the disease. Psoriasis and some treatments also increase the
risk of irregular heartbeat, stroke, high cholesterol and
atherosclerosis.
- Metabolic syndrome. This cluster of conditions —
including high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels and abnormal
cholesterol levels — increases your risk of heart disease.
- Other autoimmune diseases. Celiac disease,
sclerosis and the inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn's disease are
more likely to strike people with psoriasis.
- Parkinson's disease. This chronic neurological condition is more likely to occur in people with psoriasis.
- Kidney disease. Moderate to severe psoriasis has been linked to a higher risk of kidney disease.
- Emotional problems. Psoriasis can also affect your
quality of life. Psoriasis is associated with low self-esteem and
depression. You may also withdraw socially.
If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your doctor for an examination. Also, talk to your doctor if your psoriasis:
- Causes you discomfort and pain
- Makes performing routine tasks difficult
- Causes you concern about the appearance of your skin
- Leads to joint problems, such as pain, swelling or inability to perform daily tasks
Seek medical advice if your signs and symptoms worsen or don't
improve with treatment. You may need a different medication or a
combination of treatments to manage the psoriasis.
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