"Psoriasis can be
painful and can be profoundly disruptive to a person's life," says Jill Lindstrom, M.D., an FDA
dermatologist. She adds -"People who don't have it don't understand how burdensome the disease
can be. There is constant shedding of scales. There can be functional impairment, itching, and pain."
The symptoms of psoriasis can manifest in a variety of forms. According to the symptoms,
the disease can be classified into plaque, pustular, guttate and flexural psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis.
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a) Plaque psoriasis, also called psoriasis
vulgaris - is the most common variant of the disease and is seen 80 to 90% of the affected
individuals. In this form of psoriasis, inflammed skin displays elevated or bumpy areas (plaques) covered
with silvery white scales. |
b) Flexural psoriasis or inverse psoriasis
–In this type of the disease, smooth inflamed patches appear inbetween skin folds.It is aggravated by
sweat and friction and is therefore prone to fungal infection.This type of psoriasis is specific to the genital
area ( between the thigh and groin) , under the breasts(infra-mammary fold), under thebelly fold (pannus)
and in the armpits. |
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c) Pustular psoriasis is charecterized by
bumps( pustules) filled with pus that is non-infectious. The skin adjoining the pustules is tender and red .
These pustules, if localized to the hands and feet, are called palmoplantar pustulosis.
They may also occur as widespread patches, distributed throughout the body or confined
locally. |
d) Nail psoriasis causes changes in the
finger and toe nails such as
• Discolouring
• Pitting
• Formation of
lines across the nails
• Thickening of skin beneath the nail
• Loosening and
crumbling of nail
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e) Guttate psoriasis –In this form of the
disorder, numerous ‘tear drop’ spots appear over the trunk, limbs, and scalp. This
form of psoriasis is also linked to streptococcal throat infection. |
f) Erythrodermic psoriasis is
charecterized by inflammation and exfoliation of the skin, accompanied by severe itching, swelling and
pain in a widespread fashion. This type of psoriasis may sometimes be fatal. |
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g)
Arthropathy-5-10% of individuals with psoriasis have a chronic, rheumatoid factor negative
type of inflammatory arthropathy which can assume a central pattern(ankylosing spondylitis) or a
peripheral pattern (rheumatoid arthritis).
Psoriatic arthritis is a connective tissue inflammation which affects the joints particularly those of
the fingers and toes resulting in a sausage-shaped swelling of these parts (dactylitis).
It affects
10-15% of people who suffer from psoriasis.This form of arthritis may also affect the hips, knees and
spine.
Psoriasis in children -The type of psoriasis that is most commonly prevalent
in young children and teenagers is
guttate psoriasis. It usually occurs after an upper respiratory
infection, although it must be noted that the infection is not the direct cause of psoriasis. The disease can
also be triggered by stress, streptococcus infections and skin injuries.