Psoriasis 102c3e
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PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and ts. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silverywhite appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which skin cells replicate at an extremely rapid rate. New skin cells are produced about eight times faster than normal--over several days instead of a month--but the rate at which old cells slough off is unchanged. This causes cells to build up on the skin's surface, forming thick patches, or plaques, of red sores (lesions) covered with flaky, silvery-white dead skin cells (scales).
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) - and can be seen as an isolated finding. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the ts, which is known as psoriatic arthritis.
The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. Certain medicines, including lithium salt and beta blockers, have been reported to trigger or aggravate the disease.
There are two main hypotheses about the process that occurs in the development of the disease. The first considers psoriasis as primarily a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells. The problem is simply seen as a fault of the epidermis and its keratinocytes. The second hypothesis sees the disease as being an immunemediated disorder in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system. T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNFα, in particular) which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. It is not known what initiates the activation of the T cells. The immune-mediated model of psoriasis has been ed by the observation that immunosuppressant medications can clear psoriasis plaques.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white scaly skin. These areas are called plaques.
Flexural psoriasis (inverse psoriasis) appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occurs in skin folds, particularly around the genitals (between the thigh and groin), the armpits, under an overweight stomach (pannus), and under the breasts (inframammary fold). It is aggravated by friction and sweat, and is vulnerable to fungal infections.
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by numerous small oval (teardropshaped) spots. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis is associated with streptococcal throat infection
Pustular psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localised, commonly to the hands and feet , or generalised with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body.
Nail psoriasis produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. These changes include discolouring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails, lines going across the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and the loosening (onycholysis) and crumbling of the nail.
Psoriatic arthritis involves t and connective tissue inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any t but is most common in the ts of the fingers and toes. This can result in a sausage-shaped swelling of the fingers and toes known as dactylitis. Psoriatic arthritis can also affect the hips, knees and spine (spondylitis). About 1015% of people who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
Erythrodermic psoriasis involves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain. It is often the result of an exacerbation of unstable plaque psoriasis, particularly following the abrupt withdrawal of systemic treatment. This form of psoriasis can be fatal, as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions.
A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis. Skin from a biopsy will show clubbed pegs if positive for psoriasis. Another sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, one can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin below (Auspitz's sign).
Treatment options
There can be substantial variation between individuals in the effectiveness of specific psoriasis treatments. Because of this, dermatologists often use a trial-anderror approach to finding the most appropriate treatment for their patient. The decision to employ a particular treatment is based on the type of psoriasis, its location, extent and severity. The patient’s age, gender, quality of life, comorbidities, and attitude toward risks associated with the treatment are also taken into consideration.
Medications with the least potential for adverse reactions are preferentially employed. As a first step, medicated ointments or creams are applied to the skin. If topical treatment fails to achieve the desired goal then the next step would be to expose the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This type of treatment is called phototherapy. The third step involves the use of medications which are taken internally by pill or injection : systemic treatment. Over time, psoriasis can become resistant to a specific therapy. Treatments may be periodically changed to prevent resistance developing (tachyphylaxis) and to reduce the chance of adverse reactions occurring: treatment rotation.
Topical treatment -
-
-
Salicylic acid Keratolytic agents, weak antifungals, antibacterial agents Remove accumulated scale, allow topical agents to through AE: irritation, salicylism (N&V, tinnitus)
-
-
Coal Tar Prefered for limited or scalp psoriasis Can be effective in widespread psoriasis Antimitotic, anti-pruritic No quick onset but longer remission Often combined with SA, UV light therapy 2 types: Crude coal tar and Liquor picis carbonis
Dithranol
May restore normal epidermal proliferation and keratinization Useful in thick plaque psoriasis Commonly used with SA 2 treatment approach: long and short Stains clothes, irritating to normal skin
Topical CS
Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive Quick onset than coal tar and dithranol Tachyphylaxis can occur High potent agents used in severe cases, thick plaques AE local and systemic Should not be stopped abruptly – rebound psoriasis
Phototherapy
UVA, UVB, PUVA UVB prefered istered by lamp, sunlight exposure alone or in combo with another topical agent PUVA (methoxsalen) given PO 2 hours before UVA or lotion applied 30mins before exposure AE: itch, edema
Systemic Therapy -
-
Immunomodulators Cyclosporin, methotrexate commonly used Antibiotics in case of secondary bacterial infections
Systemic agents are generally recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Moderate disease is defined as greater than 5% body-surface area involvement; severe disease is defined by greater than 10%
Summary
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure but various treatments can help to control the symptoms. Many of the most effective agents used to treat severe psoriasis carry an increased risk of significant morbidity including skin cancers, lymphoma and liver disease. Psoriasis does get worse over time but it is not possible to predict who will go on to develop extensive psoriasis or those in whom the disease may appear to vanish. Individuals will often experience flares and remissions throughout their lives. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.
Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and ts. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silverywhite appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which skin cells replicate at an extremely rapid rate. New skin cells are produced about eight times faster than normal--over several days instead of a month--but the rate at which old cells slough off is unchanged. This causes cells to build up on the skin's surface, forming thick patches, or plaques, of red sores (lesions) covered with flaky, silvery-white dead skin cells (scales).
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) - and can be seen as an isolated finding. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the ts, which is known as psoriatic arthritis.
The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. Certain medicines, including lithium salt and beta blockers, have been reported to trigger or aggravate the disease.
There are two main hypotheses about the process that occurs in the development of the disease. The first considers psoriasis as primarily a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells. The problem is simply seen as a fault of the epidermis and its keratinocytes. The second hypothesis sees the disease as being an immunemediated disorder in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system. T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNFα, in particular) which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. It is not known what initiates the activation of the T cells. The immune-mediated model of psoriasis has been ed by the observation that immunosuppressant medications can clear psoriasis plaques.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white scaly skin. These areas are called plaques.
Flexural psoriasis (inverse psoriasis) appears as smooth inflamed patches of skin. It occurs in skin folds, particularly around the genitals (between the thigh and groin), the armpits, under an overweight stomach (pannus), and under the breasts (inframammary fold). It is aggravated by friction and sweat, and is vulnerable to fungal infections.
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by numerous small oval (teardropshaped) spots. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis is associated with streptococcal throat infection
Pustular psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localised, commonly to the hands and feet , or generalised with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body.
Nail psoriasis produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. These changes include discolouring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails, lines going across the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and the loosening (onycholysis) and crumbling of the nail.
Psoriatic arthritis involves t and connective tissue inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any t but is most common in the ts of the fingers and toes. This can result in a sausage-shaped swelling of the fingers and toes known as dactylitis. Psoriatic arthritis can also affect the hips, knees and spine (spondylitis). About 1015% of people who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
Erythrodermic psoriasis involves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain. It is often the result of an exacerbation of unstable plaque psoriasis, particularly following the abrupt withdrawal of systemic treatment. This form of psoriasis can be fatal, as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions.
A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis. Skin from a biopsy will show clubbed pegs if positive for psoriasis. Another sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, one can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin below (Auspitz's sign).
Treatment options
There can be substantial variation between individuals in the effectiveness of specific psoriasis treatments. Because of this, dermatologists often use a trial-anderror approach to finding the most appropriate treatment for their patient. The decision to employ a particular treatment is based on the type of psoriasis, its location, extent and severity. The patient’s age, gender, quality of life, comorbidities, and attitude toward risks associated with the treatment are also taken into consideration.
Medications with the least potential for adverse reactions are preferentially employed. As a first step, medicated ointments or creams are applied to the skin. If topical treatment fails to achieve the desired goal then the next step would be to expose the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This type of treatment is called phototherapy. The third step involves the use of medications which are taken internally by pill or injection : systemic treatment. Over time, psoriasis can become resistant to a specific therapy. Treatments may be periodically changed to prevent resistance developing (tachyphylaxis) and to reduce the chance of adverse reactions occurring: treatment rotation.
Topical treatment -
-
-
Salicylic acid Keratolytic agents, weak antifungals, antibacterial agents Remove accumulated scale, allow topical agents to through AE: irritation, salicylism (N&V, tinnitus)
-
-
Coal Tar Prefered for limited or scalp psoriasis Can be effective in widespread psoriasis Antimitotic, anti-pruritic No quick onset but longer remission Often combined with SA, UV light therapy 2 types: Crude coal tar and Liquor picis carbonis
Dithranol
May restore normal epidermal proliferation and keratinization Useful in thick plaque psoriasis Commonly used with SA 2 treatment approach: long and short Stains clothes, irritating to normal skin
Topical CS
Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive Quick onset than coal tar and dithranol Tachyphylaxis can occur High potent agents used in severe cases, thick plaques AE local and systemic Should not be stopped abruptly – rebound psoriasis
Phototherapy
UVA, UVB, PUVA UVB prefered istered by lamp, sunlight exposure alone or in combo with another topical agent PUVA (methoxsalen) given PO 2 hours before UVA or lotion applied 30mins before exposure AE: itch, edema
Systemic Therapy -
-
Immunomodulators Cyclosporin, methotrexate commonly used Antibiotics in case of secondary bacterial infections
Systemic agents are generally recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Moderate disease is defined as greater than 5% body-surface area involvement; severe disease is defined by greater than 10%
Summary
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure but various treatments can help to control the symptoms. Many of the most effective agents used to treat severe psoriasis carry an increased risk of significant morbidity including skin cancers, lymphoma and liver disease. Psoriasis does get worse over time but it is not possible to predict who will go on to develop extensive psoriasis or those in whom the disease may appear to vanish. Individuals will often experience flares and remissions throughout their lives. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.
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