Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that affects millions of people throughout the United States. It is characterized by swollen and reddened patches of skin that are covered with silvery scales. Psoriasis can strike anywhere on the body, but it most often affects the elbows, scalp, lower back, navel, legs, and the backs of the knees. Approximately 10% of patients who suffer from psoriasis also develop an associated inflammation of their joints. Patients who have the skin disease, psoriasis, and an inflammatory arthritis of the joints are diagnosed as having psoriatic arthritis.

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that belongs to the same group of arthritis conditions that cause inflammation of the spine (spondyloarthropathies.) This disease is characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints. Patients with psoriatic arthritis can develop inflammation of tendons, cartilage, eyes, lung lining, and even the aorta. The onset of psoriatic arthritis generally occurs in those between forty and fifty years of age.

The skin disease (psoriasis) and the joint disease (arthritis) often appear separately. In fact, the skin disease precedes the arthritis in nearly 80% of patients, and the first appearance of psoriasis can be separated from the onset of arthritis by several years. Psoriatic arthritis causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition can help relieve pain and inflammation and it may even help reduce progressive joint damage. Without proper treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating.

What Causes Psoriatic Arthritis?

Doctors and health experts have not yet been able to identify the cause of psoriatic arthritis, although it is suspected that there are several factors involved. Genetic influences, immune responses, and environmental factors all likely play a role in the development of this condition. Some patients, who have psoriatic arthritis, also have a gene marker named HLA-B27; however, this is not always the case.

The presence of this gene can be confirmed with a simple blood test at your health care provider’s office. There are also several other genes that have been associated with psoriatic arthritis, and researchers are currently investigating their connection to the disease. Certain immune system responses may also play a role in the development of psoriatic arthritis. Exposure to environmental factors such as chemicals and infectious agents may also be a cause of psoriatic arthritis.

What Are the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by inflammation in patches of the skin as well as the joints. In most patients, the skin disease precedes the joint disease by several months or even years. Patients with psoriatic arthritis develop skin lesions that are swollen, painful, and fiery red. They also experience painful arthritis that causes swelling, heat, stiffness, and redness in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis usually involves the knees, ankles, and the joints in the feet. Psoriatic arthritis can also cause a condition called spondylitis, or inflammation of the spine and the sacrum, which causes pain and stiffness in the lower back, buttocks, neck and upper back.

Psoriatic arthritis can also cause inflammation in the organs, such as the eyes, lungs, and aorta. When this condition occurs in the eyes, it can cause a painful condition called iritis in which the iris, or colored portion of the eye becomes inflamed. Iritis is aggravated by bright light as the iris opens and closes the opening of the pupil. Arthritic inflammation can also affect the lungs causing a condition called pleuritis. This condition is characterized by chest pain, pain when breathing, and shortness of breath. Inflammation of the aorta, called aortitis, can cause leakage in and around the aortic valve. Aortitis can lead to difficulty breathing and even heart failure.

How is Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed?

There is no specific medical procedure or test that can be used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The condition is usually diagnosed based on the presence of psoriasis in combination with the symptoms of arthritis. A blood test can be used to test for the presence of inflammation in the joints and in other organs of the body. If a large joint, such as the knee, is affected a test called arthrocentesis can be performed.

Arthrocentesis uses a sterile needle is used to withdraw fluid from the affected joints. The fluid is then analyzed for infection and other inflammatory conditions. Arthrocentesis is an in-patient procedure that can be performed in a physician’s office. Your health care provider may also order a series of X-rays to evaluate changes in the cartilage or bone injuries that may indicate arthritis.

Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease that can be caused by genetics or a response of the immune system. It can also be caused or aggravated by trauma to the skin such as cuts, burns, rashes, and insect bites. Under normal circumstances, skin cells take about one month to regenerate and move from the lower layers to the surface of the skin. But for those affected by psoriasis, this process occurs rapidly, sometimes within just a few days.

In addition, skin that is affected by psoriasis does not slough off as it would normally. This causes a thick build up of dead skins and the development of Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can be treated, but not cured. Sufferers usually experience several flare-ups throughout their lives. Certain medications, viral or bacterial infections, obesity, poor exposure to sunlight, sunburn, excessive alcohol consumption, psychological or physical stress, extremely cold temperatures, and excessive friction or rubbing on the skin are associated with flare-ups of psoriasis.

The Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis can occur suddenly, or develop gradually over time. Because it is a life long condition, sufferers may experience frequent episodes or flare-ups of psoriasis throughout their lives. The primary symptoms of psoriasis are itching, pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with the patches and scales of the condition. Psoriasis can be socially embarrassing when it occurs on areas that cannot be covered by clothing, such as the face, hands, or neck. Most people with psoriasis can continue to lead a normal life and enjoy the daily occupational and recreational opportunities of their choosing. But in some cases, the condition may occur on the soles of the feet, affecting one’s ability to walk, or on the palms of the hands, affecting one’s work and lifestyle.

The Link between Psoriasis and the Liver

Although psoriasis is a skin condition, it is also associated with dysfunctions in the rest of the body. Itching, burning eyes, abnormalities in fingernails and toe nails, genital sores, poor digestion, and liver dysfunction can also be signs and symptoms of psoriasis. In fact, there is a strong connection between the functioning of the liver and the development of psoriasis. Impaired liver function can either be caused by or aggravated by psoriasis. I recommend an intestinal, parasite and liver and gallbladder cleanse. Go to www.ghchealth.com for information and instructions.

Psoriasis is generally treated with a combination of medications, topical preparations, and ultraviolet light therapy. But if liver dysfunction is also suspected, it is important to improve the functioning of this organ as part of one’s psoriasis treatment. The primary job of the liver is to filter and detoxify the blood. When excessive levels of microbes and other harmful byproducts overwhelm this organ, the level of these toxins will increase in the blood and aggravate or cause a flare up of psoriasis.

People who develop psoriasis can also develop problems with their liver as a direct result of the medications they are taking. Severe psoriasis is often treated with a prescription medication called methotrexate. This drug is associated with liver damage; therefore, patients who are taking this medication must undergo a liver biopsy at least once a year. Some scientific studies have shown that approximately twenty-six percent of patients with psoriasis also develop cirrhosis of the liver as a result of cumulative doses of methotrexate.

Treating Psoriasis and Liver Dysfunction

There are many different treatment options that can be used to clear up psoriasis flare ups. The appropriate treatment method will depend upon the patient’s activity level, the location and severity of the condition, the person’s skin type, and whether or not there are any other conditions that are also present. Impaired liver function can be caused or aggravated by medications that are used to treat psoriasis. Therefore, liver problems must be addressed and considered when choosing a psoriasis treatment.

Correcting abnormal liver function is a critical component to the treatment of psoriasis. Improper liver function can be caused by an excessive exposure to food additives, cleaning solvents, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and other toxins. The functioning of the liver may also be impaired by a viral infection, fatty deposits from the over-consumption of alcohol, or a reaction to certain medications such as steroids or oral contraceptives.

One of the best ways to improve the functioning of the liver is to undergo a method of detoxification. Herbs such as dandelion root, garlic, and milk thistle can be used to cleanse and condition the liver. Enemas of coffee or castor oil increase the production of bile and allow the liver to increase its processing of toxins. Therapeutic fasting can also be used to cleanse the liver and remove any buildup of byproducts. With any method of liver detoxification, alcohol should also be avoided as it increases the risk of damage to the liver.

What Is Pustular Psoriasis?

Pustular psoriasis is a rare form of the skin disease called psoriasis. It is also known as Von Zumbusch psoriasis. Unlike most types of psoriasis, pustular psoriasis can be life threatening, especially for those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly. This condition can affects men and women of all races. And it usually affects adults more than children. In fact the average age for the development of pustular psoriasis is fifty. However, this condition has also been seen in young children and teenagers as well.

Pustular psoriasis is characterized by widespread pustules that form on the background of red and tender skin. Patches of affected skin can occur randomly on any part of the body, although it develops most frequently on flexural areas such as the backs of the knees, the insides of the elbows, the armpits and the groin. The pustules continue to grow and spread until they merge to form large areas of pus. They can rupture easily and become infected, causing dehydration and increasing the risk of infection.

There are two types of pustular psoriasis: generalized or localized. Generalized pustular psoriasis is the common term used to describe the condition when it strikes the body. Localized pustular psoriasis appears only on hands or feet.

What Causes Pustular Psoriasis?

In many cases, there is no identifiable cause for an outbreak of pustular psoriasis. Some people who develop this type of psoriasis have a previous history of chronic plaque psoriasis, a much more common form of the condition. Others may have an outbreak of pustular psoriasis triggered by the sudden withdrawal of injected or oral corticosteroids.

These steroids may briefly clear up an outbreak of psoriasis, but after the patient discontinues their use, he or she typically experiences an outbreak of even greater severity. Other possible triggers for pustular psoriasis include exposure to medications (such as lithium, salicylates, indomethacin, iodide and some beta-blockers); a recent infection; pregnancy; or an allergic reaction to a topical medication such as coal tar or dithranol.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pustular Psoriasis?

Pustular psoriasis usually starts off as patches of dry, skin that is fiery red and tender. The sufferer may also experience a fever, chills, increased heart rate, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and muscle weakness. Within a few hours of the initial onset, small pustules, about two to three millimeters in size may begin to appear. These pustules will be filled with non-infected pus. After one or two days, the pustules will grow and spread, merging together to form large areas of affected skin. These pustules will then dry and peel to leave behind a glazed, smooth surface of skin. Subsequent pustules may appear on this new skin, with the cycle continuing to repeat itself every few days.

Patients who experience pustular psoriasis may be alarmed by the sudden onset of the condition. Complications such as dehydration and infection are common with this condition. And once remission occurs, the psoriasis may revert to a more common form. In addition, relapses of pustular psoriasis are quite common.

How Serious Is Pustular Psoriasis?

Generalized pustular psoriasis can be a very serious condition. For those with a weakened immune system, such as elderly patients, the disease can be life threatening. Therefore hospitalization is often required. Pustular psoriasis must be treated aggressively to prevent excessive fluid loss, normalize the body temperature and restore one’s electrolyte imbalance. Pustular psoriasis also causes changes in the blood that must be monitored. These changes include lowered calcium levels (hypocalcaemia), low zinc levels, low plasma albumin, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), raised neutrophil count, decreased lymphocyte count and raised lactate levels.

What Complications Are Associated With Pustular Psoriasis?

Unlike other forms of psoriasis, pustular psoriasis is a very serious condition. It can even be life threatening in severe cases or when a patient’s immune system is weakened. Death can result from cardiorespiratory failure during the acute phase of this condition when the pustules are forming and spreading. Therefore, it is critical that patients are treated as quickly as possible. Other complications that can develop as a result of pustular psoriasis include secondary infections; dangerous chemical changes within the blood (such as altered levels of calcium and other minerals); kidney and liver dysfunction; malabsorption of nutrients and other medications; and inflammatory arthritis.

If you think you may have plaque psoriasis, you are not alone. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the condition, as approximately eighty percent of people who have psoriasis, suffer from this particular variation. In fact, the scientific name for plaque psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris, meaning “common psoriasis.” If you or a loved one is affected by plaque psoriasis, read on to learn more about this condition including the causes, types, and treatment options that are available.

What Is Plaque Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is caused when there is a rapid proliferation and accumulation of skin cells. Under normal circumstances, it takes about one month for skin cells to form and work their way up to the surface of the skin. For those who suffer from psoriasis, this process occurs in just a few days. In addition, skin that is affected by psoriasis does not slough off as easily as it should. The result is the development of reddened and inflamed patches or lesions of skin that are covered by silvery scales.

Plaque psoriasis is characterized by large flat patches of skin that are referred to as plaques. It usually begins as small red spots that gradually enlarge into well-defined plaques. These plaques are covered with the typical psoriatic scales. Occasionally, the plaques join together, covering extensive areas of the skin. This often occurs on the torso and limbs.

Skin that is affected by plaque psoriasis tends to be very dry as well as painful, reddened and itchy. Plaque psoriasis is often accompanied by scalp and nail psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis tends to be a relatively persistent or chronic throughout ones life. It can be improved over time with different treatment methods.

What Are The Symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:

• Red spots or patches that gradually become larger and covered in scales.
• Itching, pain and redness at the site of irritation.
• Silvery scales that slough off in large quantities revealing a number of small bleeding points on the skin.

Plaque psoriasis frequently progresses into nail psoriasis and/or scalp psoriasis. Outbreaks on the nails may be so severe that the nail thickens and crumbles away. Scalp psoriasis is often confused with dandruff or cradle cap. However, it generally causes thick scales to develop rather than the flakes of dandruff, and the scales are silvery in color compared to the yellowish scales of cradle cap.

Who Gets Plaque Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis affects approximately one to two percent of the population in the United States. Psoriasis can affect all races. It affects children as well as adults. And while both men and women develop plaque psoriasis, women are more prone to the disease. This condition usually occurs for the first time in people sixteen to twenty-two years of age. Plaque psoriasis peaks again in those between the ages of fifty-seven and sixty years.

How Is Plaque Psoriasis Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a cure for plaque psoriasis; however, there are a number of treatment options that can be used to clear up psoriatic flare ups and even reduce their incidence. Psoriasis treatment depends primarily on the type of Psoriasis you have and the severity of it.

What Are The Types of Plaque Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis usually follows a characteristic pattern, as described above. However, there are some less common forms of this condition that may require special consideration. These include rupioid psoriasis, lichenified psoriasis, elephantine psoriasis, ostraceous psoriasis, linear psoriasis, and photosensitive psoriasis.

• Rupioid psoriasis: This type of plaque psoriasis is characterized by limpet-like lesions of psoriasis that are cone-shaped.
• Lichenified psoriasis: Patches of skin that are exposed to excessive rubbing may develop this type of plaque psoriasis where the skin becomes excessively thickened.
• Elephantine psoriasis: As its name implies, elephantine psoriasis causes very large patches of psoriasis that are thickly scaled and resistant to most treatment options.
• Ostraceous psoriasis: This type of plaque psoriasis has thickly scaled, ring-like areas of skin that resemble an oyster shell.
• Linear psoriasis: Linear psoriasis is a form of plaque psoriasis in which the affected skin is arranged in lines along the body
• Photosensitive psoriasis: This type of plaque psoriasis develops in areas of the skin that have experienced excessive sun exposure. It occurs most frequently on areas of the face, neck, hands and forearms. Strict sun protection is required for those who suffer from this form of the condition.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects about seven million people in the United States. Psoriasis can affect any part of the skin including the scalp and the nails. Approximately ten to fifty-five percent of all patients who suffer from psoriasis also develop nail psoriasis. This condition is characterized by nail disfigurement in the form of lesions, pitting, whitening, crumbling, or splitting.

Nail psoriasis affects both men and women of all ages; however the incidence of the disease increases with age. Psoriasis can affect any part of the nail unit. Most changes occur in the nail plate. When psoriasis affects the nails they can become very deformed which can lead to enormous embarrassment. Severe psoriatic nail disease can lead to functional and social impairments if left untreated.

What Causes Nail Psoriasis?

The exact cause of nail psoriasis is not completely known. Many health experts believe that this condition occurs as the result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors.

What Are The Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis?

• Oil Drop or Salmon Patch: This lesion occurs on the nail bed. It is a translucent, yellow-red discoloration that resembles a drop of oil beneath the nail plate. This patch is the most diagnostic sign of nail psoriasis.
• Pitting: Pitting usually occurs on the proximal nail matrix. It develops due to the loss of parakeratotic cells from the surface of the nail plate.
• Beau Lines: Beau lines tend to develop on the proximal nail matrix. These lines are transverse lines in the nails that develop as a result of intermittent inflammation.
• Leukonychia: This condition occurs on the nail midmatrix. It is characterized by a whitening on areas of the nail plate.
• Subungual Hyperkeratosis: Subungual hyperkeratosis affects the nail bed and the hyponychium.
• Onycholysis: Onycholysis develops on the nail bed and nail hyponychium. It is a white area of the nail plate that develops when the nail plate becomes separated from the nail bed. It usually causes a dramatic uplifting of the nail plate. Onycholysis can result in secondary microbial infections.
• Nail Plate Crumbling: Nail psoriasis can cause the nail plate to become weakened, resulting in a crumbling of the nail plate.
• Splinter Hemorrhage: Splinter hemorrhages are black lines that develop longitudinally between the nail bed and the nail plate.

How Can Nail Psoriasis Be Prevented?

In order to prevent the development or aggravation of nail psoriasis, one should be careful to keep their nails dry and protect them from trauma and injury. Nail polish can also be used to conceal the pitting and onycholysis seen in psoriasis of the nails.

Approximately four million people in the United States suffer from a chronic skin disease called psoriasis. From the Greek word meaning, “itch”, psoriasis is a relatively common condition that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. Some patients experience very mild psoriasis, in which they don’t even realize they have it. Others, however, suffer from severe psoriasis that is painful, itchy, swollen, and cover large portions of the body. In either case, psoriasis is not contagious. It is not possible to “catch” psoriasis from another person and another person cannot “catch” it from you.

Most patients with psoriasis suffer from plaque psoriasis, in which the skin breaks out in lesions or plaques. Plaque psoriasis appears as patches of raised red skin covered by silvery white scales. Inverse psoriasis is another form of psoriasis that occurs less frequently.

What Is Inverse Psoriasis?

Also called flexural psoriasis, inverse psoriasis is characterized by bright red, patches of skin that are smooth and not scaly. They patches are found in the flexural areas of the body, or in the folds of the skin. Inverse psoriasis most commonly occurs under the breasts, in the armpits, near the genitals, under the buttocks, or in abdominal folds. These patches of skin become irritated and inflamed. They are also aggravated by the sweat and skin rubbing together in the folds. An overgrowth of yeast may trigger the skin lesions of psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis is more frequent and severe in people who are overweight because excess usually puts greater pressure on the skin folds that are particularly prone to irritation from rubbing and sweating.

How Is Inverse Psoriasis Treated?

• The skin that is typically affected by inverse psoriasis, namely the groin, armpits, buttocks, and abdominal folds, are usually very sensitive areas. This makes treatment of this condition somewhat difficult. Irritation is often aggravated by the treatments that are used to alleviate it. Another problem is that these moist, flexural areas can be prime locations for yeast and other fungal infections.

Treating Secondary Yeast Infections

The areas affected by inverse psoriasis are particularly prone to developing secondary yeast and fungal infections. For this reason, most health care professionals will test for these conditions when diagnosing inverse psoriasis. The natural product “Mycozil” is effective for yeast and fungal infections.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that affects roughly three percent of the population in the United States.  It occurs as the result of a rapid generation of skin cells that allows patches of reddened and inflamed lesions to form.  There are several different types of psoriasis that are defined by the location and appearance of these lesions.  Varieties of psoriasis include plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and guttate psoriasis.  This article will focus on the latter of these conditions, detailing the appearance, causes, and treatment for guttate psoriasis.

What Is Guttate Psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that is usually seen in patients less than thirty years of age.  The lesions of this type of psoriasis look like small, red, localized drops on the skin.  In fact, the term guttate comes from that Latin word gutta meaning “drop.”  Guttate psoriasis usually starts on the trunk, arms, or legs and sometimes spreads to the face, ears, or scalp.

The palms and the bottoms of the feet are usually not affected.  Occasionally, it may also appear on the scalp.  This skin condition causes pain, itching and the possibility of secondary skin infections.  Like other forms of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis has the tendency to worsen during the winter and improve during the summer.  This condition usually appears for the first time in childhood or young adulthood.  It usually comes on very quickly, usually within a couple of days.  After the initial bout of guttate psoriasis, recurrent episodes may occur throughout the sufferer’s life.  However, in most cases, once the condition clears up, it will not return.

Who Gets Guttate Psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis affects both males and females of all races.  It can occur at any age, although it most often strikes individuals younger than thirty years of age, and it is generally believed to be the type of psoriasis most likely to affect children and adolescents. In the United States, guttate psoriasis occurs in less than two percent of psoriasis cases.  Internationally, this type of psoriasis occurs in two to four percent of psoriasis cases.

What Causes Guttate Psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis often erupts quite suddenly. It may be triggered by an injury or infection.  In fact it is often associated with strep throat, a bacterial infection of the throat. Other illnesses that may trigger an attack of guttate psoriasis include tonsillitis, a common cold, or chicken pox.  Vaccinations, physical trauma, psychological stress, and antimalarial drugs have also been associated with the onset of guttate psoriasis.

How Is Guttate Psoriasis Diagnosed?

There are no specific medical tests or procedures that can be used to diagnosis guttate psoriasis. In most cases, your health care provider will make his or her diagnosis based on the combination of history, clinical appearance of the rash, and evidence of a preceding infection (such as strep throat.). If there is a question, our health care provider may order a biopsy to look more closely examine the skin for the presence of guttate psoriasis. Your doctor may also order a blood test to confirm the presence of increased levels of antibodies to streptolysin-O.  This increased level of antibodies is common in patients who have recently suffered from strep throat, and they are present in more than one half of patients with guttate psoriasis.

How Is Guttate Psoriasis Treated?

In most cases, guttate psoriasis lesions will last for a few weeks or months, and then clear up on their own.  However, without treatment, guttate psoriasis may progress into plaque psoriasis, a more common and longer-lasting form of the disease.  This progression occurs in about seventy percent of guttate psoriasis patients.  Treatment options for guttate psoriasis include antibiotics, topical preparations, ultraviolet light therapy, and systemic medications. I do not recommend using antibiotics, chemical based creams or medications.

• Antibiotics can help prevent an infection from re-occurring and causing an outbreak of guttate psoriasis.
• Topical Preparations such as moisturizers, coal tar, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D3 derivatives, and retinoids can be applied to the skin to reduce redness and relieve the pain and itching that is associated with the condition.
• Ultraviolet Light Therapy Your health care provider may prescribe either natural light therapy, or sessions using artificial ultraviolet light to ease guttate psoriasis.
• Systemic Medications such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, Soriatane, Accutane, Hydrea, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, and 6-Thioguanine, may be prescribed by a health care provider to provide immediate but short term relief for troublesome cases of the condition.

Patients who suffer from guttate psoriasis must also be careful to minimize other forms of trauma to the skin such as scratching, cuts, or vigorous rubbing.  This type of trauma can lead to the development of new psoriatic lesions on areas that were previously unaffected by the condition.  When psoriasis occurs as the result of a trauma to the skin, it is known as the Koebner response.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that currently affects about four million Americans. It is a disease in which the regeneration of skin cells occurs at an extremely rapid rate. This becomes compounded by the fact that the skin in affected areas does not slough off easily. The result is patches of scaly, swollen lesions that may be itchy or even  painful. Psoriasis can occur on any area of the body, but it is most often found on the elbows, knees, legs, palms, feet, and face. It can also affect the area on and around the scalp. Scalp psoriasis affects roughly two to three percent of the population nationwide.

The Look and Feel of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis often looks much worse than it actually feels. It appears as patches of raised red lesions that are covered with silvery scales. These thick patches are often evident throughout the scalp and around the scalp margins. Scalp psoriasis most commonly affects the back of the head, but it may also be evident on discrete areas throughout the scalp. Many people who suffer from scalp psoriasis experience itching and some soreness on the affected areas. Some people with severe scalp psoriasis also experience a temporary loss of hair in the affected area. Although this can be quite distressing, the hair will usually grow back once the flare up has subsided. Scalp psoriasis can be particularly embarrassing due to its resemblance to dandruff. This condition can occur on its own, or in combination with other forms of psoriasis.

Diagnosing Scalp Psoriasis

There are no medical tests or procedures that can be used to diagnose the condition, but a licensed health care professional will be able to diagnose scalp psoriasis with a simple visual examination. Your health care provider may recommend home treatment, or a prescription psoriasis remedy to clear up your condition.

Caring for Scalp Psoriasis

Caring for scalp psoriasis is slightly different from caring for psoriasis that affects other areas of the body, as the hair on the scalp makes it difficult to apply treatment products. The hair also blocks ultraviolet light, which is often used to complement treatments on other parts of the body. Therefore, it is very important that treatment products are applied carefully on the scalp. In order to apply a treatment product for scalp psoriasis, the hair must be parted in sections, while the product is gently rubbed into the exposed area. It may be necessary to get assistance in reaching the back and top of the head. Most treatment products for scalp psoriasis work best if rubbed into the scalp and allowed to sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing. Some products also recommend an immediate reapplication.

Unfortunately, most products that are available for the treatment of scalp psoriasis are messy and smelly. And it’s likely that these products will need to be used regularly for several weeks before any substantial change is noticed. In most cases, the preparation will have to be applied regularly in order to keep scalp psoriasis under control.

Keeping the hair cut short is also helpful in alleviating scalp psoriasis as it allows more light to reach the scalp and makes it easier to apply treatment products. However, it is not necessary in the overall treatment of the condition.

Over the Counter Scalp Psoriasis Remedies

Coal Tar Shampoo: Shampoos made from coal tar are generally very effective for most patients with scalp psoriasis.

Coal Tar Cream: Coal tar creams are even more effective than their shampoo counterparts. However, they can be quite messy.

Prescription Scalp Psoriasis Remedies

Topical Steroid Lotions: These products are often used to reduce the itching and swelling of scalp psoriasis. However, they generally do not remove the scales very well. Topical steroids can be used intermittently to alleviate the symptoms of flare-ups.

Salicylic Acid Cream: Creams made from salicylic acid are available by prescription. They are usually rubbed into and left on the scalp for a minimum of one hour before being shampooed off. Some people even apply the cream at night and then wash it off in the morning.

Similar Conditions

There are several conditions that are similar to scalp psoriasis, but require different treatment methods and products. Sebo-psoriasis is a condition that has symptoms similar to both psoriasis and seborroeic dermatitis. Rather than the silvery scales that are associated with psoriasis, this condition is characterized by scales that are yellowish and greasy. It also has more defined margins and thicker scales than those seen with seborrhoeic dermatitis. Another condition that is often confused with scalp psoriasis is pityriasis amiantacea. This condition is characterized by thick, yellow-white scales that densely coat the scalp. These scales often adhere to the scalp hairs as they slough off of the affected area. Pityriasis amiantcea often causes temporary hair loss.

Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a genetic disease that affects about 4.5 million people in the United States. It is a condition that affects sufferers throughout their lives. And although it may look gruesome, psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriatic lesions are not infections or open wounds, and they pose no threat to the health or safety of others. Whether you are affected by psoriasis or just interested in learning more about the condition, here are the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about psoriasis.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Health experts do not yet know what causes psoriasis, but they believe that it has a genetic component. Most researchers agree that for those who are predisposed to psoriasis, the immune system somehow becomes mistakenly stimulated to speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Under normal conditions, a skin cell will mature and fall off the body’s surface in about one month. But for those with psoriasis, skin cells regenerate more rapidly, taking only three to four days to move to the surface. In addition, these cells do not fall off like normal skin cells; rather, they pile up and form lesions.

What Are the Types Of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis can occur in various forms of psoriasis. The most common type of psoriasis, called plaque psoriasis, results in inflamed lesions of skin that become encrusted with a silvery white scale. Other forms of psoriasis include guttate psoriasis which is characterized by small dot-like lesions; pustular psoriasis in which the lesions are weeping and scaly; inverse psoriasis where the lesions become intensely inflamed; and erythrodermic psoriasis which is characterized by intense shedding and redness of the skin. The severity of psoriasis can vary from person to person; however, for most people, psoriasis tends to be mild. For some, psoriasis is limited to just a few lesions, whereas others develop moderate lesions on large areas of their skin.

What Parts of the Body Are Affected By Psoriasis?

Psoriasis manifests itself in the skin and/or the joints. Most commonly, psoriasis occurs on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. But psoriasis can develop on the body, such as the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face. Psoriatic lesions are often symmetric, meaning that they can be found on the same place on both the left and right sides of the body. About 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.

How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?

There are no special tests or instruments that can be used to diagnose psoriasis. A health care provider will usually be able to determine the presence of psoriasis by examining the affected skin. However, under some conditions, a physician may also order a biopsy of the lesion to examine under a microscope.

Can Psoriasis Be Cured?

Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis, although researchers are studying this condition more than ever before. Health experts are finally beginning to understand more about the causes and triggers of this chronic condition. In the meantime, there are many different treatment methods that may help to clear up psoriasis for periods of time. Psoriasis sufferers may need to try several different treatment methods before finding one that will work well for them.

Who Can Get Psoriasis?

Psoriasis most often appears in individuals between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five but it has been known to develop at any age. In a small number of cases (about ten-fifteen percent) patients develop psoriasis before the age of ten. It is also quite rare, but not unheard of, for infants to show signs of psoriasis. Psoriasis affects both men and women equally, and it is also equitably spread throughout race and socioeconomic groups.

What Triggers Psoriasis?

Psoriasis may be triggered by a number of external sources. Injury to the skin, skin infections, or a reaction to certain types of medications may cause psoriasis to flare up. When psoriasis is triggered by an injury or trauma to the skin, it is known as a “Koebner response”. Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger this type of reaction. If it is caught early enough, the Koebner response can be treated quickly. Certain medications, such as lithium, anti-malaria drugs, and some beta-blockers have also been known to cause psoriatic flare-ups. Emotional stress is another potential trigger for psoriasis. It can aggravate a pre-existing condition, or trigger a frits time response. Other potential triggers of psoriasis include weather, diet and allergies.

Can Psoriasis Become Severe?

Psoriasis affects the skin, the largest organ in the body. Problematic psoriasis can cause skin infections, fluid loss, or poor circulation, dangerously affecting one’s health. The seriousness of the condition is characterized as mild, moderate, or severe. In mild cases of psoriasis, the sufferer may experience a few small lesions throughout the body. Moderate psoriasis is diagnoses when roughly three percent to 10 percent of the body is affected. If more than ten percent of the body is affected by psoriasis, it is considered a severe case. The gravity of the condition is also measured by its affect on the sufferer’s quality of life. Even small patches of psoriasis can have a serious impact on one’s recreational and occupational opportunities if they occur on areas such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.