What Is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a type of disease that can be experienced by anyone, but it is more common in people aged 15-35 years. The disease is not contagious, so direct contact with a rash on the skin of the sufferer will not cause a person to develop this disease.
What is Psoriasis Definition?
Psoriasis is inflammation of the skin characterized by a red rash, dry, thick, scaly, and easily peeled skin. Sometimes, psoriasis are also accompanied by itching and pain. Psoriasis is more common in the areas of the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the skin of the sufferer. Psoriasis generally occurs over a long period of time. Symptoms that usually occur in the sufferer are cracked skin until finally bleeding, skin becomes scaly, joints feel stiff and swollen, the appearance of thickening of the nails with an uneven texture.
Psoriasis can occur in anyone, it can even attack babies who are generally caused by genetic factors. Psoriasis are sometimes confused with eczema because it has somewhat similar symptoms.
Psoriasis itself has many types, but plaque psoriasis is a common type of psoriasis, with the characteristic of the appearance of reddish patches that are slightly prominent in the skin. Psoriasis often begins with the formation of a small lump that continues to deteriorate and it is eventually coated with white scales, which makes the skin appear scaly and exfoliate.
Psoriasis Types
There are five types of psoriasis:
1# Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates that about 80 percent of people with psoriasis experience plaque psoriasis. This causes red and inflamed patches that cover the area of the skin. These patches are often covered with silver-whitish scales or plaques. This plaque is usually found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.
2# Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is common in children. This type of psoriasis causes small pink spots. The most common sites for guttate psoriasis include the body, arms, and legs. These spots are rarely thick or arise like plaque psoriasis.
3# Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is more common in older persons. It causes white blisters, contains pus and a large area of inflamed skin. Pustular psoriasis are usually localized in smaller areas of the body, such as hands or feet, but can be widespread.
4# Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis cause red, shiny, inflamed areas of the skin. Inverse psoriasis patches develop under the armpits or breasts, in the groin, or around the folds of the skin on the geni**tals.
5# Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe and a very rare type of psoriasis. This form often covers most of the body at once. The skin almost appears sunburned. The growing scales often peel off on large portions or sheets. It is not uncommon for a person with this type of psoriasis to develop a fever or become very sick. This type can be life-threatening, so individuals should visit a doctor immediately.
What is Psoriasis symptoms?
Symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type, and can come and go. Sufferers can experience symptoms for several days or several weeks, then symptoms disappear for a while until they finally reappear. Symptoms will appear if the sufferer is re-exposed to trigger factors.
Read also:
How To Prevent Psoriasis
What is psoriasis caused by?
In fact, the cause of psoriasis it is not yet known for sure. However, the condition is thought to be strong as a result of disorders of the immune system.
The immune system contains white blood cells called T lymphocytes (T cells) to detect and fight foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. Unfortunately, due to an error, T cells instead attack healthy cells as if they were fighting a wound or infection.
This attack causes the body to create new skin cells more often than it should. As a result, there is an extra pile of skin cells on top of the skin. For this reason, psoriasis also often include autoimmune diseases.
In addition, genetic factors also have the possibility of being the cause of this condition. Scientists found the fact that people with certain genes tend to be exposed to psoriasis.
Please note, this does not apply to everyone. Some have psoriasis without the gene, some have psoriasis, but do not have the disease.
