Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition in which both genetic and environmental factors play a role. It can affect the immune system, causing the skin cells to grow and build up too quickly on the surface of the skin. Normally, skin cells grow and replace old skin cells every three to four weeks. Psoriasis causes thick, flaky and crusty red patches on skin (plaques) that are covered with silvery looking scales. It usually appears around the knees, elbows, hands, feet, scalp and lower-back.
Symptoms
• Raised patches of red skin
• Scaling
• Itching, burning or soreness.
• Discoloured, or pitted nails.
• Swollen or stiff joints.
Diagnosis
- Physical examination of the skin, nails and scalp
- An X-ray (if psoriatic arthritis)
Treatment
Topical therapy
- Corticosteroids
- Vitamin D analogues
- Retinoids
- Calcineurin inhibitors
- Salicylic acid
- Coal tar
- Goeckerman therapy
- Anthralin.
Light therapy
- Sunlight
- UVB broadband
- UVB narrowband
- Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA)
- Excimer laser.
Oral or injected medications
- Steroids
- Retinoids
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Biologics.
- Other medications.
Alternative medicine
- Aloe extract cream
- Fish oil supplements
- Oregon grape
- Essential oils
