Psoriasis is a skin disease which is caused due to overactive functioning of certain white blood cells called T-Cells which are controlled by the body's immune system. Psoriasis has several sub types depending on the part of body it affects and the severity of the disease and for each sub-type there are different signs and symptoms.
However, in general there are some common signs and symptoms of all the sub categories of Psoriasis. Most often, psoriasis is recognized by formation of thick scaly skin or small bumps in the skin which are covered by layers of dead skin. The bumps are often itchy but scraping away at the scales or bumps only lead to abrasions.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
The following signs indicate development of psoriasis skin disease:
Classification of Psoriasis
According to its symptoms and the area of body it affects, Psoriasis can be classified into many types:
Tests
Usually a skin biopsy is recommended before diagnosis, especially if the disease appears to be guttate or inverse psoriasis. It involves taking a skin sample and studying it under a microscope to identify piling up of T-Cells which is the root cause of the disease.
Complications
Certain complications are associated with Psoriasis some of which are listed below:
However, in general there are some common signs and symptoms of all the sub categories of Psoriasis. Most often, psoriasis is recognized by formation of thick scaly skin or small bumps in the skin which are covered by layers of dead skin. The bumps are often itchy but scraping away at the scales or bumps only lead to abrasions.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
The following signs indicate development of psoriasis skin disease:
- Patches of skin turn shiny or silvery in appearance and may also have scales.
- Scratching the scales leads to cracked bleeding.
- Extreme itching on the affected skin area, especially on scalp or in the groin area.
- Reddish, smooth and bright skin caused due to extreme exposure to sun or other skin injuries like cuts, bites or burns.
- Formation of plaques due to continued piling of dead skin cells.
- Formation of lesions, either small or large.
- Fungal infection inside the nails.
- The affected area tends to get worse because of mental stress or trauma.
Classification of Psoriasis
According to its symptoms and the area of body it affects, Psoriasis can be classified into many types:
- Plaque psoriasis - The most common form of Psoriasis which results in red, scaly and thick skin, usually occurring on elbows or knees.
- Guttate Psoriasis - Symptoms include tiny pink lesions less than one centimetre in diameter.
- Psoriasis Arthritis - It affects the joints, especially the fingers and causes inflammation and pain in movement.
- Inverse Psoriasis - This type of psoriasis occurs only as red shiny patch of skin in folds of skin like armpits and groin.
- Scalp Psoriasis - Formation of scales on scalp and extreme hair loss characterize this type.
- Nail Psoriasis - Psoriasis which results in deformation and discolouration of nails.
Tests
Usually a skin biopsy is recommended before diagnosis, especially if the disease appears to be guttate or inverse psoriasis. It involves taking a skin sample and studying it under a microscope to identify piling up of T-Cells which is the root cause of the disease.
Complications
Certain complications are associated with Psoriasis some of which are listed below:
- Obesity
- Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- High Blood pressure
- Increased risk of eye infections like conjunctivitis
- Increased risk of other diseases related to immune system like celiac disease.
- Diseases or infections related to the kidney.
Author is a passionate writer and loves to share articles on medical issues.
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