How can you tell if your itchy rash is psoriasis and not eczema?
Psoriasis can appear on the joints such as the knees and elbows
Mention “psoriasis” and many people would draw a blank or, at best, mistake it for eczema. And it is an easy mistake to make as the dry rashes of both skin conditions may appear similar. But look closer and you’ll see that the affected area in psoriasis looks like the body is producing way too many skin layers, too soon. And you’d be right on that account. Normal skin cells take 20 to 30 days to mature and travel topside before they get shed, according to the Psoriasis Association of Singapore (PAS).
However, psoriatic skin cells take just three to eight days to make the journey. And it is this chaotic mix of live and dead skin cells sitting on the skin’s surface that creates the papery, silvery scales or skin plaques – the hallmarks of psoriasis. Go beyond skin deep and another difference emerges: Eczema is likely caused by a weakened skin barrier owing to a gene mutation. Psoriasis, on the other hand, has been acknowledged by some experts as a chronic autoimmune skin disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells of the skin and sometimes, the joints as well.
This skin condition affects about 1 per cent (one in 100) of the population. In Singapore, it is estimated that at least 40,000 persons have psoriasis, according to the PAS. To set the record straight, psoriasis is not caused by poor personal hygiene, skin dryness – and is definitely not contagious or infectious.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.
Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate. The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while. Common triggers in people with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis include infections, cuts or burns, and certain medications.
Treatments are available to help you manage symptoms. And you can try lifestyle habits and coping strategies to help you live better with psoriasis.
Everything You Need to Know About Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes symptoms such as scaly, dry, or itchy skin. There’s no cure, but certain lifestyle changes and medications can help. You can also try to track and identify your possible triggers.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of your skin cells. This buildup of cells causes scaling on your skin’s surface.
Inflammation and redness around the scales are fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. However, on darker skin tones, they can also appear more purplish, dark brown with gray scales. Sometimes, these patches will crack and bleed.
Psoriasis is the result of a sped-up skin production process. Typically, skin cells grow deep in your skin and slowly rise to the surface. Eventually, they fall off. The typical life cycle of a skin cell is 1 month.
In people with psoriasis, this production process may occur in just a few days. Because of this, skin cells don’t have time to fall off. This rapid overproduction leads to the buildup of skin cells.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease (a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body. [1] There may be visible signs of inflammation such as raised plaques (plaques may look different for different skin types) and scales on the skin.
This occurs because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin. Some people report that psoriasis plaques itch, burn, and sting. Plaques and scales may appear on any part of the body, although they are commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.
Inflammation caused by psoriasis can impact other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also experience other health conditions. One in three people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis. Signs of PsA include swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints and areas surrounding the joints. PsA often goes undiagnosed, particularly in its milder forms. However, it’s important to treat PsA early on to help avoid permanent joint damage. Symptoms often start between ages 15 and 25 but can start at any age. Men, women, and children of all skin colors can get psoriasis.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by clearly defined, red and scaly plaques. It is classified into several types.
Psoriasis affects 2–4% of males and females. It can start at any age including childhood, with onset peaks at 15–25 years and 50–60 years. It tends to persist lifelong, fluctuating in extent and severity. It is particularly common in Caucasians but may affect people of any ethnicity. About one-third of patients with psoriasis have family members with psoriasis.
Psoriasis is multifactorial. It is classified as an immune-mediated genetic skin disease. This involves a complex interaction between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes itchiness and discomfort. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. It causes thick, scaly areas of skin. While there isn’t a cure, psoriasis treatment can help manage symptoms. Your provider may prescribe special creams or ointments for psoriasis.
There are several types of psoriasis, including:
- Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
- Inverse psoriasis: This type appears in your skin folds. It causes thin plaques without scales.
- Guttate psoriasis: Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots and often affects children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of plaques.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is a severe type of psoriasis that affects a large area (more than 90%) of your skin. It causes widespread skin discoloration and skin shedding.
- Sebopsoriasis: This type typically appears on your face and scalp as bumps and plaques with a greasy, yellow scale. This is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Nail psoriasis: Nail psoriasis causes skin discoloration, pitting and changes to your fingernails and toenails.
Psoriasis: Causes, Types and Treatment
Psoriasis (pronounced without sounding the ‘p’) is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition whereby the skin cells multiply and are replaced too quickly. It is also accompanied by some inflammation. As such, the condition appears as red scaly patches.
No one really knows what causes psoriasis. There is a family pattern in one third of cases, and it is accepted that heredity plays a part. It is believed that multifactorial inheritance is involved in psoriasis. Certain environmental factors may trigger off psoriasis in persons who are predisposed genetically.
There is abnormal cell growth in the skin of susceptible individuals. The turnover of normal skin cells takes place in about 28 days. In psoriasis, skin cells multiply more quickly than usual and move to the top layer of the skin in only 3 to 7 days. As such the excessive dead skin cells heap up to form the thick white scales that we see on the red elevated patches of psoriasis.
Psoriasis: Overview
Psoriasis (suh-rye-ah-sis) is a condition that causes the body to make new skin cells in days rather than weeks. As these cells pile up on the surface of the skin, you may see thick, scaly patches.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis Those thick, scaly patches that develop on the skin are called plaques (placks). About 80% to 90% of people living with psoriasis get plaques, so they have plaque (plack) psoriasis
When someone has plaque psoriasis, you’ll often see raised patches coated with a silvery-white scale. Plaques tend to vary in size. They may appear on the skin as a single patch or join together to cover a large area of skin. No matter the size, plaques tend to be itchy. Without treatment, the itch can become intense. Some people notice that their skin stings, burns, or feels painful and tight.
HOW PSORIASIS MIGHT START AND ITS CAUSES
Psoriasis may begin as what seems like dandruff or skin flakes on your scalp. "Sometimes, it may look like other inflammatory skin rashes, including seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema or fungal skin infections," said Dr Jamie Wee, a senior consultant and the head of Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
The factors that can exacerbate psoriasis include alcohol, smoking, stress, certain medications, infections such as bacterial throat infection, HIV as well as dry and cold weather, he said.
7 DIFFERENT TYPES OF PSORIASIS:
- Plaque psoriasis - This is the most common type of psoriasis. It creates dry, itchy, raised skin patches or plaques covered with scales. They usually appear on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.
- Psoriatic arthritis - This form attacks both the skin and joints. There are five types of psoriatic arthritis and it’s possible to have more than one: Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis (limited to joints on one side of the body), symmetric psoriatic arthritis (strikes matching pairs of joints), distal psoriatic arthritis (affects fingertips and toes), spondylitis (affects the back) and arthritis mutilans (the rarest and most severe form that causes bone loss).
- Nail psoriasis - It affects both fingernails and toenails. Nails will pit, and produce abnormal growth and discolouration. The nail may even loosen and separate from the nail bed. In severe cases, the nail may crumble.
- Guttate psoriasis - This form is usually triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It's characterised by small scaley spots on the trunk, arms or legs.
- Inverse psoriasis - It mainly affects the skin folds of the groin, buttocks and breasts. Instead of thick, raised patches, it causes smooth, inflamed skin that worsen with friction and sweat. Fungal infections may trigger this type of psoriasis.
- Generalised pustular psoriasis - This is a rare type of psoriasis that creates pus-filled blisters. It can occur in widespread patches or on small areas of the palms or soles.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis - The least common type, it can cover the entire body with a peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely. It can be acute or chronic.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin.[4][5] These areas are red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly. Psoriasis varies in severity from small localized patches to complete body coverage. Injury to the skin can trigger psoriatic skin changes at that spot, which is known as the Koebner phenomenon.
The five main types of psoriasis are plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, makes up about 90% of cases. It typically presents as red patches with white scales on top. Areas of the body most commonly affected are the back of the forearms, shins, navel area, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis has drop-shaped lesions. Pustular psoriasis presents as small, noninfectious, pus-filled blisters. Inverse psoriasis forms red patches in skin folds. Erythrodermic psoriasis occurs when the rash becomes very widespread and can develop from any of the other types. Fingernails and toenails are affected in most people with psoriasis at some point in time. This may include pits in the nails or changes in nail color.
Psoriasis is generally thought to be a genetic disease that is triggered by environmental factors. If one twin has psoriasis, the other twin is three times more likely to be affected if the twins are identical than if they are nonidentical. This suggests that genetic factors predispose to psoriasis. Symptoms often worsen during winter and with certain medications, such as beta blockers or NSAIDs.[4] Infections and psychological stress can also play a role. The underlying mechanism involves the immune system reacting to skin cells. Diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms.
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