Types of Psoriasis

The most common type is plaque psoriasis. There are many variations of psoriasis. Each varies with others in the site affected, look, treatment and severity. The other types are pustular psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and psoriasis on nails. Your doctor will diagnose the type and begin your treatment accordingly. Some patients of psoriasis can also develop symptoms of arthritis and develop disability of joints.

Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. It mainly affects areas such as elbows, lower back, knees and abdomen. Plaque psoriasis is a chronic type of psoriasis and becomes difficult to treat on a long term. In plaque psoriasis, plaques or patches of psoriatic skin appear on the affected place. The color is generally red-silvery. The flakes of dead skin fall off from the plaques. Small plaques may also join to form large patches of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is commonly treated with topical medicine. In case of severe psoriasis, ultra violet radiation is used (PUVA). Oral medications may be used under medical care and help in quicker recovery. In topical medications, steroids and coal tar are commonly used.

Pustular Psoriasis
In pustular psoriasis, fluid filled pustules appear on the red skin. The pustules collapse after a day or two and new pustules appear. If pustular psoriasis appears on a wide area of the body, it can be life threatening. In some cases, pustular psoriasis appears on palms and soles. It is called localized pustular psoriasis. Fever-like symptoms may accompany the outbreak of pustular psoriasis. It is treated with topical or oral medications. This kind of psoriasis needs total care under medical supervision.

Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small tear-like red drops that appear on the skin. Gutta means tear drops in Latin and the name of this psoriasis is derived from gutta. Guttate psoriasis mainly affects the trunk part of the body. The red looking drops of skin rashes clear soon in most of the cases. The treatment is commonly done with steroids, coal tar, etc. If needed, PUVA is used.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis can be fatal at times. In erythrodermic psoriasis, the skin appears red. Though skin may get erythroderma or redness due to other causes also, psoriasis is one of the common reasons. Erythrodermic psoriasis may appear as a worsening condition of psoriasis. Erythrodermic psoriasis needs treatment in hospital setting. The common triggers of erythrodermic psoriasis are- withdrawal of oral steroids or strong topical steroids, some medications, infections and low calcium.

Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis shows as thick silvery scales on red skin. Scalp psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the scalp, but may also show all around the scalp. Though scalp psoriasis is most often covered with hair, it may also extend beyond the hair line. This is a socially embarrassing condition. Most of the times, it is confused with dandruff in the beginning. Scalp psoriasis may occur along with psoriasis on the body or all alone. Because of its location below the hair, treatment becomes difficult. Medicated shampoos, specially formulated steroid creams and other topical applications are used to treat scalp psoriasis.

Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis affects the armpits, groin, the skin around the genitals and below the breasts. Inverse psoriasis is common with obese people and forms red inflamed skin patches. Friction and sweating aggravates this psoriasis and thats why, it is commonly found in areas with higher sweating and friction. It is treated with steroids, coal tar and other topical medications for psoriasis.

Nail Psoriasis
Very often, nail psoriasis occurs with psoriatic arthritis. In psoriatic arthritis, along with the red and scaly skin, the nails get discolored, pitted and deformed. The arthritis may pain the joints and in severe condition, it may cause permanent deformity of joints. Nail psoriasis is difficult to treat satisfactorily.

Article Source: http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/psoriasis/types.php


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Living With the Discomfort of Psoriasis

By Anne Wolski

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is characterised by scaling and inflammation of the skin. It most often occurs on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues of the genitals and inside the mouth.

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. In about one-third of the cases, there is a family history of psoriasis.

Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

My own battle with this condtion began when I was in my early twenties. The first signs were simply a reddening of the elbows and knees. Of course, I took little notice of this. However, it didn't take long before the scaly patches appeared and began to spread to my knuckles, ankles and some small areas on my lower legs. I tried several moisturising lotions but nothing seemed to work. I then sought the advice of my physician who diagnosed my condition as Psoriasis.

So began a lifetime of applying corticosteroid creams and coaltar lotions to the affected areas of my body. This is usually the first type of treatment prescribed for the condition.

At times, I experienced significant physical discomfort. Itching and pain interfered with basic functions, such as sleep. This in turn left me feeling constantly tired and unable to cope with day-to-day chores, thus putting a strain on my family relationships. I began to feel self-conscious about my appearance and had a poor self-image that stemmed from fear of public rejection. Psychological distresses in turn lead to significant depression and social isolation.

I noticed that there were times when my skin worsened, then improveed. I found that several things caused flareups including infections, stress, and changes in climate that dry the skin. Also, certain medicines seemed to trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease.

As the years progressed, so too did the disease. I eventually had psoriasis on my knuckles, elbows, finger joints, knees, lower legs, feet, and even the webbing of my toes. I also had it in my scalp and a large area of my lower back. I was miserable most of the time because of the constant itching and discomfort.

I had tried every treatment that I heard of and had found only minimal relief. By this time, I had virtually given up hope that I would ever lead a normal life without this affliction.

However, a few years ago, a friend convinced me to see a naturopath. I didn't expect much from him but he surprised me. He advised me to try emu oil, something I hadn't yet tried. I took his advice and bought a bottle of emu oil capsules which I took religiously. Within weeks, the scaly patches had all but disappeared from my knuckles and lower legs. By a couple of months, I had no outward signs of the disease and, for the first time in many years, I felt comfortable with my appearance. Because I was no longer itching all of the time, my sleep patterns improved and so did my ability to cope with life in general.

I took the full dose for about six months and then started taking just one capsule per day as a maintenance dose. I still take that every day and will do so for the rest of my life.

So, for all of those who suffer from psoriasis or eczema, take my advice. Give the emu oil a try. It certainly improved my quality of life and I believe that the advice given to me by that naturopath is the best advice I was ever given.

Psoriasis is an incurable disease and, once you have it, you will always have it. The point is that you don't have to let it rule your life. You can live relatively free of this condition just by taking that one step.

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Anne Wolski has worked within the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. Go to http://www.magnetic-health-online.com to see many wonderful health articles, many of them written by doctors and others who have been involved in the health industry for many years.

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