psoriasis

Psoriasis

Victoria Lund

Overview

• Causes skin cells to mature in less than a week (normally it takes 28-30 days)

• The immune system send signals to increase skin cell growth

• *Not contagious• The body cannot shed old skin before the new cells rise to the surface, this causes raised patches of dead skin.

• Common areas are the arms, back, chest, elbows, legs, nails, buttocks, and scalp.

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Plaque Psoriasis

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Gutatte Psoriasis

Inverse Psoriasis

Erythrodermic PsoriasisPustular Psoriasis

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Types- Plaque Psoriasis

• The most common type of Psoriasis• About 80% of people suffering from Psoriasis have this specific type

• It is also known as Psoriasis Vulgaris

• Characterized by raised, red patches of skin and silvery-white buildup of dead cells in the form of scales, that shed.

Types- Guttate [GUH-tate] Psoriasis• Appears in small, red, individual spots on the skin, normally the trunk or limbs.

• Not as thick as plaque legions• A few examples of triggers for Guttate Psoriasis are upper respiratory infections, strep throat, stress and injury to the skin.

• Treatments can include topical creams, which may be tedious to apply to the small drops covering the skin

• An alternative treatment is Phototherapy, using UV light B.

Types- Inverse Psoriasis

• An uncommon condition• Appears in the skin folds, such as the armpit and groin.

• Produces debilitating pain and itching• Lacks the scales of standard psoriasis, and is in the form of a red, tender rash.

• Common treatments are topical ointments or steroids. Overuse is a problem that could result in thinning of the skin.

• The affected areas should be covered in plastic dressings, as to not be irritated.

Types- Pustular Psoriasis

• Commonly seen in adults.• Characterized by white blisters filled with noninfectious pus, which is surrounded by red skin. The blisters consist of white blood cells.

• Pustular Psoriasis starts out with the skin reddening and moves on to form pustules and scaling.

• There are many causes, such as medication, pregnancy, overexposure to UV light and infections.

• There are 3 different types of Pustular Psoriasis: Von Zumbusch, Palmoplantar pustulosis, and Acropustulosis.

Types- Erythrodermic Psoriasis• The most serious form of Psoriasis• Affects most of the body’s surface• Characterized by widespread redness of the skin and shedding of the skin in sheets rather than flakes.

• This type of Psoriasis also causes pain and itching, as well as heart rate increase and changes in body temperature.

• If you have these symptoms you should see a doctor immediately. If untreated erythrodermic psoriasis could cause fluid and protein loss that could lead to severe illness.

Resources

• http://www.answers.com/topic/psoriasis• http://www.psoriasis.org• http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics

• http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20679

• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/guttate_psoriasis/article_em.htm

• http://dermatology.about.com/od/psoriasis/a/invrs_psoriasis.htm