WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
It takes one month for a skin cell to mature and be removed from the skin surface. In psoriasis patients, the skin does not fully mature. Therefore, cells accumulate on the skin surface and cause the appearance of psoriasis. This disease, which affects one hundred million people worldwide, is equally common in men and women. Studies have indicated that 1% of the population has this disease. It usually occurs in young to middle age. The onset and recovery can continue throughout life. The severity and distribution areas may vary from person to person. It is most common on the scalp, knees, and elbows. It can also occur on the eyelids, genital area, nails, and other body parts.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PSORIASIS?
The exact cause of psoriasis has not yet been discovered. It is thought to be the result of abnormal functioning of immune system cells. It is not a completely hereditary disease. In general, 25-40% of patients have a family history of psoriasis. The child of a mother or father with psoriasis is much more likely to get psoriasis. However, this does not mean that they will definitely get it. Psoriasis is not contagious. In summer, sunlight has a positive effect on psoriasis. However, sunburn should be avoided. Exposure to the sun for too long can exacerbate the disease. People should be careful in this regard.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PSORIASIS?
There are different types of psoriasis. Therefore, the symptoms vary according to the type of disease. The symptoms of psoriasis can be summarized as follows:
Plaque Psoriasis: It is the most common type. It progresses with pink-red lesions with psoriasis-colored scales.
Guttate Psoriasis: It is usually seen in children. It is drop-shaped and found in large numbers on the body.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis: In this rarer type, there is no obvious scaling. There is a rash that can cover 80-90% of the whole body. It usually requires hospitalization and treatment.
Pustular Psoriasis: It appears as pinhead-sized vesicles filled with yellow pus. It may cause fever and weakness. It is usually treated by hospitalization.
Hand-Foot Psoriasis: It is found only on the palms and soles of the feet.
Nail Psoriasis: Pits, thickening, separation from the nail bed, and color changes are seen in the nail. It is often confused with fungal disease.
Joint Psoriasis (Psoriatic Arthritis): It is a type of psoriasis that affects the joints. It starts with swelling, pain, and heat increase in the joints. If left untreated, it can cause permanent joint deformities and related disabilities.
HOW IS PSORIASIS TREATED?
There are many different treatment methods for psoriasis. Treatment is planned depending on many factors such as the type of the disease, its prevalence in the body, and the patient's additional diseases. In this process, a joint decision is made by taking into account the patient's wishes. Only limited areas such as knees and elbows can be treated with creams. For more widespread and resistant diseases, pills or injection treatments are applied. Psoriasis treatment has diversified considerably in recent years. Biological treatments are applied in tertiary hospitals, universities, and training and research hospitals. A detailed physical examination is required to decide on the best treatment method. Specialist doctor opinions are of great importance in this process. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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No, it is not contagious. Someone with psoriasis does not affect another person's health.
It can be seen at any age. It is more common in people between the ages of 15-35.
No, it won't. Psoriasis is not a disease related to internal organs. However, psoriasis is more common in people with diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol.
Psoriasis patients need to have a healthy diet and sleep routine. It is recommended to stay away from harmful habits and do sports. A stress-free life is important in psoriasis.