Skin Diseases

Psoriasis

If a mother, father, sibling, grandmother or grandfather has psoriasis in the family, the probability of developing psoriasis is higher.

Get in Touch!orAll See Treatments

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic (ongoing) skin disease that progresses with thick, pearl-colored crusted patches on a reddened surface of the skin. The disease progresses throughout life with flare-ups and periods when the disease is calm (invisible). In some patients, in addition to the skin disease, the disease in the joints (Psoriatic Arthritis) may also be seen.

Why Does Psoriasis Occur?

Psoriasis occurs on the basis of a genetic predisposition. It is known that factors such as smoking, infections, stress, poor nutrition, and the use of certain medications may trigger the emergence of the disease.

How Does Psoriasis Appear?

It usually appears as dry, thick, raised patches on any part of the skin on the outside of the knees and elbows. These patches are usually red and covered with pearl-colored crust. The thickness of the crusts may vary depending on the area where they are located. It may be thicker in areas such as palms and soles, and thinner in areas such as armpits, groin folds, and genital areas. Rashes in different skin colors may appear in different colors.

The appearance of psoriasis may vary depending on the type, location, duration, and prevalence of psoriasis.

Book an appointment for a consultation and a personalised treatment plan!

What are the Types of Psoriasis?

1- Plaque Psoriasis: It is the most common type of psoriasis. It appears as raised, thick patches on the skin. These patches may be covered with a pearl-colored crust. The patches may be of varying sizes and may tend to merge. It is usually located on the outer surfaces of the knees and elbows, the back, and the scalp, but it can affect any area of the skin.

2- Guttate Psoriasis: It usually occurs suddenly and widely. In guttate psoriasis, the plaques are small in size (smaller than a coin) and have thin crusts. It is more common in young children and young adults and usually occurs following an infection.

3- Inverse Psoriasis: It usually develops in curved areas such as the armpit, leg fold, and genital area. In this area, unlike the classic thick-shelled appearance of psoriasis, it is observed as salmon pink or bright red, sensitive patches with no or very little pearly crust.

4- Pustular Psoriasis: In this type of psoriasis, painful, inflamed swellings resembling acne are seen on the palms and soles of the feet. These inflamed areas sometimes appear as brown spots and peeling areas can be observed in places.

5- Disseminated Pustular Psoriasis (von Zumbusch Psoriasis): In this rare type of psoriasis, widespread inflamed acne-like swellings appear all over the body. The entire skin appears red and tense. It is a serious and life-threatening condition. It may be accompanied by fever, weakness, and widespread muscle pain. Treatment should be started as soon as possible in this type of psoriasis.

6- Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Widespread redness and crusting covering almost the entire body are seen. It may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Rapid treatment is vital.

7- Nail Psoriasis: It may occur together with other types of psoriasis, or it may only show limited changes in the nails. In psoriasis nails, images such as thimble-like pinpoint pits on the nail surface, white, yellow, and brown color changes in the nail, retraction of the white part at the tip of the nail, thickening of the nail, and separation from the nail bed can be observed.

8- Psoriatic Arthritis: Psoriasis can cause disease in the joints as well as the skin. Psoriatic arthritis can be seen together with psoriasis on the skin, or it can be limited to the joints only without any skin rash. In this condition, also called joint rheumatism, symptoms such as swelling, pain, limited movement in the finger joints, heel pain, back pain, pain in the wrists and ankles, and difficulty in starting joint movements in the morning can be observed.

Who Gets Psoriasis?

If a mother, father, sibling, grandmother or grandfather has psoriasis in the family, the probability of developing psoriasis is higher.

Factors such as stress, infections, smoking, sunburn, skin injuries, heavy alcohol use, and poor nutrition can trigger the development of psoriasis on the basis of genetic predisposition.

At What Age Does Psoriasis Occur?

Psoriasis can be seen at any age. It usually first appears between the ages of 20-30, but early-onset types can be seen in newborn babies or late-onset types after the age of 60.

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis is not transmitted through contacts such as shaking hands, swimming in the same pool, or sexual intercourse.

Is Psoriasis Seen in Children?

Psoriasis can also develop in children. It can occur in the newborn period, early-late childhood, or adolescence. Although guttate psoriasis is usually seen in children, all other types can also be observed in pediatric patients.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

In the treatment of psoriasis, a treatment plan is created by evaluating many variables such as the patients age, gender; type, severity, duration of the disease, other additional diseases of the patient, medications used, medications previously used for psoriasis, social habits of the patient, loss of quality of life caused by psoriasis, presence of joint involvement.

Considering these variables, medications applied in cream form, light treatments, medications taken orally in pill form or treatments in injection form can be started. Treatment is started and followed by a dermatologist.