All about psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by red, scaly patches appearing on the skin’s surface. These patches are often referred to as plaques.

It’s important to note that psoriasis is not contagious—it is an autoimmune condition, not an infectious one.

Psoriasis is marked by skin inflammation and an abnormally rapid turnover of keratinocytes, the cells that make up the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis).  While the skin normally regenerates over about a month, in people with psoriasis, this process is accelerated to just 3–4 days.

Prevalence of Psoriasis

Psoriasis most commonly affects people aged 15–35, but it can appear at any age.  There are two main peaks of onset: between the ages of 15–20 and 55–60.

Types of Psoriasis

Like many chronic diseases, psoriasis is classified by stages, severity, and forms of manifestation.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Common signs include:

• Red, raised, scaly patches on the skin
• Itching in the areas of inflammation and scaling
• Changes in nails, such as pitting, thickening, crumbling, or detachment of the nail plate
• Joint pain (in some cases)

A precise diagnosis requires consultation with a dermatologist.

How Psoriasis Develops

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition,

meaning it stems from an error in the immune system. Normally, the immune system scans the body continuously, identifying foreign cells by their protein markers. In autoimmune diseases, this system mistakenly targets the body’s own cells as foreign, triggering inflammation.

Causes of Psoriasis

The exact causes of psoriasis remain unclear, but research indicates it is influenced by genetics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and environmental conditions.

Genetics

Psoriasis often runs in families, passing from parents to children.

Lifestyle

Chronic skin damage, frequent friction, sunburns, and hypothermia can trigger psoriasis, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition, such as the HLA-Cw6 genetic marker.

Stress, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are also risk factors, as they negatively impact metabolism, organ function, and immune health.

Comorbidities

Certain forms of psoriasis, such as guttate psoriasis, can follow a streptococcal infection.

Additionally, the condition is more likely in individuals with other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In these cases, the immune system is already malfunctioning and may mistakenly target additional cells.

Treatment of Psoriasis

For mild cases where the affected skin area is small, corticosteroid creams or ointments are commonly prescribed. These reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.

Physicians may also recommend topical analogs of vitamins A or D, which help reduce inflammation, accelerate shedding of the outer skin layer, and slow plaque growth.  Moisturizing products from medical skincare lines are also advised.

Preventing Psoriasis

There is no specific way to prevent psoriasis entirely.

However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce risks. This includes avoiding alcohol and smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet.

People with a family history of psoriasis should pay special attention to their skin, keeping it moisturized and avoiding factors like prolonged sun exposure, cold temperatures, or tanning beds. Tattoos are not recommended for those predisposed to psoriasis.

Prognosis

Psoriasis is a chronic condition, like all autoimmune diseases, and cannot be fully cured.

However, timely and appropriate treatment can help achieve long periods of remission, where symptoms are absent or minimal.