What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition of the skin characterized by itchy rashes which appear and disappear on its own, anywhere on the body.
How does psoriasis occur?
There is no exact cause of psoriasis but it’s known to be an autoimmune condition.There is inflammation in the skin which causes increased production of the skin cells.Normally, new skin cells are produced and replaced at a constant rate, in about 10-30 days. Psoriasis causes increased skin production leading to accelerated turnover of cells every 3-4 days.
What is the age group and other predilections to get psoriatic patches?
Psoriasis often develops between the ages of 15 to 35, but it can occur at any age. About 10 to 15 percent of those with psoriasis get it before age 10. Some infants have psoriasis, although this is a rare scenario . Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates.
Is it a genetic or hereditary problem?
At least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only two percent to three percent of the population develops the disease. So having psoriasis in your family has higher risk, but getting psoriasis is not a certainty.
What are the triggers for worsening of psoriasis?
Psoriasis triggers are not universal , however established psoriasis triggers include:
Stress: Stress can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis. Winter seasonInjury to skin:Psoriasis can appear in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner phenomenon.Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger such response.
Medications: Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis,
including: Lithium: Used to treat manic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Antimalarials: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis, usually two to three weeks after the drug is taken.
Beta blockers for HTN
Quinidine
NSAIDs or painkillers like Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, diclofenac etc
Infections:streptococcus infection (strep throat) is associated with guttate psoriasis. Patients might experience a flare-up following an earache, bronchitis, respiratory infection, vaginal infection, urine infection, loose motions etc.
What are the co morbidities associated with psoriasis ?
Psoriasis is a skin disease and more often than not, it is limited to the skin of the patient. In around 30% of patients, joints also can get affected , known as Psoriatic arthritis. Around 50-60% patients also have co existing nail psoriasis.
Patients with severe uncontrolled psoriasis are known to be affected with co existing conditions like:Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome(heart diz, high BP & abdominal obesity)
Obesity
Liver disease
Crohn disease
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