What is Psoriasis disease?
Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease that causes excessive fast growth of skin cells, resulting in the appearance of skin plates thickened (hyperkeratosis), white. These lesions can vary in size and have a predominant localization at the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, legs and sacral region (lower back). Psoriasis is more common among adults, but can occur among children and adolescents.
Normally, skin cells grow and mature gradually over a course of 28 days (over cell tower) and will then be replaced by other young cells. Aged cells in the superficial layers of skin are gradually replaced by other new cells from deeper layers. Superficial layers of cells gradually die and are shed with the conduct of daily activities (bathing, wearing clothes). In psoriasis, cells are not mature enough, but quickly migrate to the superficial layers of skin (In 3-6 days) and form characteristic lesions in this disease (hyperkeratosis cards).
Causes
Not knowing the exact etiology of psoriasis. Most experts say the disease is genetic determinism (it is inherited). Approximately one third of people with psoriasis have at least one family member (blood relative) with the disease. In any case, it is unclear whether genetic factors act alone in determining whether other disease or personal or environmental factors also have a role in causing disease. Psoriasis an infectious disease is not contagious, so can not be transmitted from one person to another.
Experts believe that immunologic factors (immune system) Have a role in the development of psoriasis, given that this disease can highlight abnormal layers skin (Hyperkeratosis boards) a large number WBC (Sanguine white cells, with a role in mediating immune response). Another argument for the nature of the immune etiology of the disease is that the disease responds to treatment immunosuppressive (Which inhibit the immune system).
Several factors have been implicated in the etiology or exacerbation of psoriasis, of whom remember:
- Cold and dry climate is a specific factor that can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Climate hot, humid and sun (UV) on the other hand, may improve symptoms
- skin lesions regardless of location, can cause the formation of hyperkeratosis boards. The most common are injuries arising from the nail and the region periunghiale
- stress and anxiety cause the appearance of psoriasis and may also aggravate existing injuries
- Infections, especially throat infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), can cause psoriasis (by different immune-mediated mechanisms). This is especially prevalent among children infected with streptococcus
- Some drugs as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), beta blocking agents (medicines used to treat some heart disease and hypertension) and salts Lithium can worsen psoriasis symptoms. It is very important that people with psoriasis to consult your doctor before administering these drugs.
Symptoms of psoriasis
Symptoms of psoriasis skin plaques are present hyperkeratosis, bright red raised skin lesions with predominant localization to the elbows and knees. There are several types of psoriasis, such as severity of symptoms and complications vary from case to case.
Symptoms most commonly seen in psoriasis are:
- Red skin areas, relief (skin plate) which shows the surface shiny crust. Skin plaques may have different locations, but most often are found at the elbows, knees, scalp, hands, feet and lower sacral region. Approximately 90% of people with psoriasis have skin lesions such
- Small areas, bleeding resulting from scaling skin lesions (called Auspitz sign)
- Thickened with thin crusts on the scalp location
- Purities (itching), especially in acute phases of disease, mainly at the localization of lesions in the skin folds (under the breasts, the armpits, buttocks)
- Nail changes are found in approximately 50% of patients with psoriasis. Among these include:
- Nail and periunghiale spotted (without revealing a fungal infection,onychomycosis)
- Yellowing toenails and fingernails of the hand rarely
- Separation of nail from nail bed (the root)
- Rare skin tissue deposits finally subunghiale (clamps).
Other symptoms less size found in people with psoriasis are:
- Skin panels with tracking mirror (bilateral, for example in both elbows and both knees)
- Skin lesions like water drops. This type of lesion in psoriasis is most common secondary Streptococcal throat infections and is called gouty psoriasis. This type of psoriasis is found in 10% of all cases of psoriasis,
- arthralgia (joint pain) arthritis with stiff joints (joint swelling with reduced mobility) and edema periarticular. This type called psoriasis psoriatic arthritis and is found in approximately 5-10% of people with psoriasis.
Koebner phenomenon may occur in some people with psoriasis who have suffered injury (burn, excessive exposure to sun, cut), in a region unaffected skin of psoriasis. This phenomenon is the emergence of psoriatic lesions characteristic about a few days to two weeks after acute dishonor. Since this phenomenon is quite commonly encountered in medical practice, people with psoriasis are advised to avoid if possible skin injuries and excessive sun exposure.
Have to mention that there are several dermatological symptoms and skin lesions that resemble those occurring in psoriasis. Also, some drugs can cause skin reactions (red leather, bold), plate-like skin of psoriasis.
What happens
Psoriasis is a chronic, with relapses and exacerbation (worsening episodes of recurring illness at some time) and whose evolution can be unforeseeable. Symptoms may occur suddenly and so can ameliorant or disappear (remission). This cycle of exacerbation followed by remission continues throughout life. Rarely, psoriasis can disappear without making any treatment. Moderate-severe and severe forms of psoriasis should be treated accordingly to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
There are several factors that may aggravate the disease and can cause relapses. Among these we mention: cold and dry climate, stress, infections, Skin lesions and use of certain medicinal substances.
Severity is indicated by the number and characteristics of lesions (redness, thickness, peeling) and body surface area affected by hyperkeratosis of skin plaques.
Mild forms the disease is characterized by skin lesions (panels) located only at the elbows and knees.
Mild forms psoriasis shows the following symptoms:
- Some medium-sized plates skin (scalp skin is usually affected in over 80%)
- Sheets of skin may cover up to 20% of body surface (skin equivalent of both upper limbs)
- Arthralgia (joint pain), without functional impotence
- Discomfort cosmetic (appearance of skin lesions related complex).
Severe forms psoriasis has the following symptoms:
- Skin panels that cover large portions of the skin (20-30%). To calculate body surface mention that palm equals 1% of the total skin surface and top each member represents about 10% of its total
- Boards skin on the face of location
- Type pustule skin lesions (raised skin lesions, filled with liquid) or occurrence of psoriasis erythrodermic with severe inflammation and massive exfoliation of skin
- Psoriatic arthritis, which consists of inflammation and swelling of joints with pain, impotence functional, local redness and warmth. Severe forms of psoriatic arthritis can cause destruction and even bone.
Psoriasis may persist for a longer period of time without worsening or improving symptoms. The disease can cause stress mental and anxiety, and appearance complex nature of the cosmetic. Some studies have shown that some patients with psoriasis has a similar physical and functional impairment in patients suffering from other serious diseases such as cancer, Chronic arthritis, depression or heart disease. Sometimes it is necessary for medical treatment of psoriasis and its associated psychotherapy.
Risk Factors
Most experts believe that psoriasis is an inherited disease (genetic transmission). We know that people carrying certain mutant genes for illness are 10 times higher risk for illness. A third of people with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease.
Several factors have been implicated in the etiology or exacerbation of psoriasis, of who remember:
- Cold and dry climate is a specific factor that can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Climate hot, humid and sun (UV) on the other hand, may improve symptoms
- Skin lesions regardless of location, can cause the formation of hyperkeratosis boards. The most common are injuries arising from the nail and the region periunghiale
- Stress and anxiety cause the appearance of psoriasis and may also aggravate existing injuries
- Infections, Especially throat infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), may cause psoriasis (through different mechanisms mediated immune). This is especially prevalent among children infected with streptococcus
- Some drugs as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) agents, beta-blockers (medicines used to treat heart disease and hypertension) and salts Lithium can worsen psoriasis symptoms. It is very important that people with psoriasis to consult your doctor before administering these drugs.
Another risk factor for psoriasis is the appearance of heavy drinking. It turns out that alcoholics develop, usually a more severe form of psoriasis compared with people who do not drink alcohol. This form of the disease is most common among middle-aged men, large consumer’s ethanol. But not proven link between alcohol consumption in women and the emergence or worsening of psoriasis.
Health professional
Necessary specialist medical advice if these symptoms occur:
- Appearance of erythematous areas (red), relief (plate), covered with a shiny crust that exfoliates
- Crusted plates appeared on the scalp
- Yellowing or spots this nail, separation of nail from nail bed or the appearance of skin tissue deposits (clamps) at this level
- Signs of a possible Infections bacterial (overgrowth of skin lesions) and:
- Sharp pain, edema Erythematic (redness), increased local tenderness or local warmth
- Thin lesions (strip) the reddish skin plates
- This pus
- Temperature exceeding 38 degrees C, without other known cause.
For people diagnosed with psoriasis and treated accordingly need medical advice when these symptoms occur:
- Skin lesions extended over a large region, inflammation their sharp, especially if the patient is another disease associated
- Symptoms side effects of using drug therapy in psoriasis (vomiting, diarrhea sanghinolenta, chills or fever).
Watchful waiting
It is important that all persons may develop skin lesions associated with psoriasis to address medical specialist dermatologist. Initiating treatment in an early stage may slow or even stop the disease.
Medical specialists recommend
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat psoriasis include:
- GP
- Dermatologist
- Doctor of internal medicine
- Your rheumatologist. | 
