Psoriasis (scientific name "psoriasis") is a common chronic skin disease. Patients' skin will have red, swollen, inflamed patches, desquamation, and itching, and the condition will be better or worse, which is troublesome. What are the methods to treat and take care of psoriasis in daily life?
Causes and myths of psoriasis
Psoriasis ≠ ringworm
In medicine, "ringworm" refers to a skin disease caused by fungal infection, such as tinea capitis, tinea pedis, or tinea manuum. But psoriasis is not caused by fungal infection, so it cannot be strictly called "ringworm".
Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and is not transmitted through contact. However, some patients mistakenly believe that psoriasis can be transmitted to their family members or that they are discriminated against by others, which makes them feel troubled.
Causes of psoriasis
The medical community currently believes that psoriasis is mainly related to autoimmune system disorders, which is also related to genetic factors. People with family members with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing psoriasis. Studies have shown that one-third of psoriasis patients have family members who also suffer from psoriasis.
The following factors are risk factors for inducing or aggravating psoriasis:
▸Skin trauma or injury
▸Infection, such as upper respiratory tract infection, throat bacterial infection
▸Emotional stress, life stress
▸Smoking or drinking
▸Hormonal changes
▸Medications: After using certain medications, the symptoms of psoriasis patients will be aggravated
▸HIV
▸Dry weather makes psoriasis worse
Symptoms and characteristics of psoriasis
The main sites of psoriasis are the scalp, outer ear shell, elbows, outer side of finger joints, back and knees. And psoriasis often appears symmetrically. If there is psoriasis on one hand, there will be psoriasis on the other hand.
Psoriasis generally has the following symptoms:
▸Pink or red patches will appear on the skin, with silvery white scaly skin on the surface
▸Inflammation, itching and pain of the skin
▸The scalp may become red and peeling
▸Fingernails/toenails may have pits, thickening, depressions or nail bed peeling
▸Psoriasis can spread all over the body and develop pustules
Types of psoriasis
Psoriasis (also known as "psoriasis") can be divided into many types, including plaque type, flexural type, pustular type, guttate type and erythrodermic type.
▸Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis, affecting about 80% of patients. This type of psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Patients develop pink or red scaly patches on the skin that become inflamed and itchy.
▸Flexural Psoriasis
Flexural psoriasis, also known as "inverse psoriasis," occurs in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, buttocks, and in the skin folds around the genitals. People with flexural psoriasis develop bright red, shiny patches on the skin that may be mildly itchy and uncomfortable.
▸Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is less common and occurs more often in adults. This type of psoriasis is characterized by white pustules surrounded by red skin, but it is not infectious. It may occur only on the hands and feet, or it may spread all over the body, and in severe cases may cause fever, chills, nausea, rapid heart rate, and muscle weakness.
▸ Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is common in children and young adults, accounting for up to 10% of psoriasis patients. It occurs on the trunk, upper arms, thighs, and scalp. This type of psoriasis is usually triggered by a throat infection, causing tiny scaly spots that then spread all over the body, like raindrops hitting the body.
▸ Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare but very serious type of psoriasis. The patient's skin will become red, swollen, and inflamed over most of the body, often accompanied by severe itching and pain. It may also cause burning sensations, peeling, changes in body temperature, and rapid heart rate.
Psoriasis Care
If you have psoriasis, you can take care of it from the following 9 aspects to help relieve psoriasis symptoms or prevent recurrence:
1. Use moisturizer or lotion to soften the skin or make it feel comfortable
2. Avoid taking a hot bath, it is recommended to take a warm bath
3. Prevent upper respiratory tract infection to avoid inducing psoriasis
4. Do not scratch the skin to avoid skin damage or infection
5. Do not use alcohol or disinfectant to wipe the affected area to avoid irritating the skin
6. Keep a cheerful mood and learn to reduce stress
7. Avoid smoking and drinking
8. Eat a balanced diet and avoid eating spicy and irritating foods
9. Get enough sleep and rest
Topical medication for psoriasis
Psoriasis patients can choose topical creams or ointments under the doctor's instructions, such as steroid ointments, coal tar ointments, vitamin D-derived ointments, and vitamin A-derived ointments.
As for the type of ointment and the strength of the efficacy, it depends on the type and condition of psoriasis. Therefore, patients should not use medication casually, and consult a doctor before using the medication.
Phototherapy for psoriasis
The doctor may recommend ultraviolet light therapy for the patient depending on the type of psoriasis and the extent of the disease. Generally speaking, phototherapy includes UVB light therapy, UVB light therapy combined with coal tar therapy, and psoralen combined with UVA light therapy (PUVA).
The dosage, frequency, duration, or efficacy of the above light therapies may vary. Please consult your doctor for details.
Systemic drug therapy for psoriasis
If topical medications or phototherapy cannot control psoriasis symptoms, or if the psoriasis is widespread, the doctor may prescribe oral medications to suppress the patient's immune system and slow down the excessive proliferation of skin cells. Oral psoriasis medications include methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporine, and vitamin A derivatives (Acitretin).
These drugs have side effects and must be prescribed by a doctor and taken according to the doctor's instructions.
Psoriasis Biologics
Biologics are newer psoriasis treatments. They are generally used to treat patients with severe psoriasis or those who have not responded to other treatments. They may be more effective, but they are more expensive. Their main function is to control the patient's immune system and can be injected subcutaneously or intravenously. This type of drug includes:
▸Adalimumab
▸Etanercept
▸Infliximab
▸Secukinumab
▸Ixekizumab
▸Ustekinumab
▸Guselkumab
▸Risankizumab
