How to Get Rid of Psoriasis: Types, Symptoms, And Treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition defined by patches of thick, red skin coated in silvery scales. Plaques can form anywhere on the body, although they most commonly appear on the elbows, legs (particularly the knees), lower back, scalp, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.

Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails and toes, the va-ginal area, the joints, and the inside of the mouth. It affects both men and women equally and often develops in adulthood; however, it can affect children as well. This is not infectious and does not spread by touch from person to person.

In this blog, Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, dermatologist at Bliss Aesthetics, will discuss this skin autoimmune condition, its causes, and psoriasis treatment in Ludhiana in detail.

What causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an immune-system disorder. Normally, white blood cells (particularly T lymphocytes) in the body help protect against infection and disease. T cells are triggered by mistake in individuals who have psoriasis, causing the immune system to overreact. This causes inflammation and excessive skin cell proliferation, which leads to the formation of plaques. According to research, psoriasis can be passed on to some extent, and specific genes have been related to the onset of psoriasis.

Psoriasis may flare up for no apparent reason or worsen as a result of factors such as infections, weather changes, dry skin, and the use of certain medications.

What is the Main Cause of Psoriasis?

While the main cause of psoriasis is still under research, it is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis presents itself as red, irritated, and possibly thickened skin. Although psoriasis may be wet and peeling in some areas of the body, the scaly plaques have definite edges of a silver-white colour. Psoriasis itchiness is often mild, though there are exceptions, as with many skin conditions. If left untreated, cracked skin can be quite painful. Fortunately, psoriasis treatments in Ludhiana can combat psoriasis, significantly minimising or removing symptoms that would normally continue to exist.

What are the Different Types of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis types are discussed below:

• Plaque psoriasis: It is characterised by red skin coated in loose silver-white scales. It can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful, with broken skin and sometimes blood. Plaque psoriasis eruptions, which typically appear as clusters, can merge and cover wider parts of the body in more severe cases. Plaque psoriasis can cause discolouration, cracking, or pitting of the fingernails and toes. It has the potential to cause nail separation. Plaque psoriasis can affect the scalp as well.
• Pustular psoriasis: It is characterised by scaly red skin and small blisters on the hands and feet.
• Scalp Proaisis: It is also a common type of psoriasis. It occurs when a person’s immune system fails and instructs skin cells to proliferate excessively quickly. These extra skin cells cannot be eliminated by the body. Skin cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, resulting in psoriasis patches. This process eventually results in scalp redness and flaking. To diagnose what is causing scalp psoriasis in your scalp, consult Dr. Shikha Aggarwal for more details.
• Guttate psoriasis: It typically starts in childhood or adolescence and appears as tiny spots on the torso, arms, and legs. Infection, stress, injury, and an adverse response to certain medications are all possible factors.
• Inverse psoriasis: This usually appears in body skin folds such as the armpits, groyne, and breast folds. Inverse psoriasis lesions are red, shiny, and prominent.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: The skin appears to be burning, and scales may shed in sheets. Medication reactions, intense sunlight, and infection are all potential causes.
• Arthritis: In 50% of all psoriatic arthritis patients, arthritis appears early and is severe. A patient can complain of morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes, discomfort, and irritation. If you are suffering from any signs of psoriatic arthritis, you can get effective treatment for it with Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, a psoriasis doctor in Ludhiana.

Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis:

• Skin lesions: These are the well-defined, dry, red, and frequently overlapped papules and plaques that characterise psoriasis. The patches are usually not irritating and can be found on the extended surfaces of the elbows, knees, back, and buttocks.
• Nail lesions: Pitting, ridging, brown or yellow colouring, cracking, separation, or loosening of the nails (onycholysis) are all examples of nail lesions. Nail impairments can be misdiagnosed as a fungal infection and may be the only clinical characteristic in individuals who are predisposed to arthritis,
• Soft-tissue involvement: Tenderness at the point of tendon insertion or muscle attachment is an example of soft-tissue involvement.
• Dactylitis: This condition affects one-third of the psoriatic arthritis population and causes swelling of the entire finger, giving it a “sausage-like” appearance.
• Extraarticular symptoms: Include iritis, urethritis, mouth ulcers, colitis, and (less commonly) aortic valve dysfunction.

Psoriasis Treatment In Ludhiana

There is currently no cure for psoriasis. Psoriasis treatment in Ludhiana is determined by the degree and extent of the psoriasis, as well as the specific type of psoriasis. The treatment’s goals are to minimise inflammation and slow the overproduction of skin cells. A combination of treatments is frequently required, which may include:

• Skincare: Using moisturisers to keep the skin hydrated can be beneficial.
• Phototherapy (light therapy): Natural UV radiation from the sun, as well as controlled delivery of artificial ultraviolet light, can aid in the killing of activated T cells in the skin. A doctor should give light treatment using a customised light panel or light box.
• Narrowband ultraviolet light therapy: It treats conditions of the skin, such as psoriasis, by using a narrow range of the ultraviolet (UV) light spectrum. Light penetrates the skin, slowing the proliferation of skin cells that create wounds. UV light is classified into two types: narrowband and broadband. Narrowband light therapy is a subset of light therapy that allows the treatment to be delivered at a higher intensity for a shorter period. According to clinical research, narrowband light therapy may remove skin lesions faster and lead to longer periods of remission than broadband light therapy.
• Creams or ointments: Creams or ointments provided by the doctor might help reduce skin redness and itching. A few contain a type of steroid known as a corticosteroid, which works to reduce skin inflammation.
  Systemic medications: Some treatments that work on the entire body (known as systemic medications) can help relieve psoriasis symptoms. They can be taken as tablets, liquids, or injections.
  Biologics: Biologic medications, often known as ‘biologics,’ are a relatively new type of systemic treatment. They are administered either by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. It does not influence the entire body but rather targets specific parts of the immune system (T cells) to prevent skin cell overproduction.

Psoriasis can affect anyone and the condition if left untreated can cause discomfort, severe itching flare-ups, and secondary skin infections. For an effective treatment consult Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, a psoriasis doctor in Ludhiana to manage this skin issue effectively and achieve an improved quality of life with healthy skin.