Do you have psoriasis? You are not alone.
Psoriasis is one of the most common autoimmune skin diseases and affects approximately 150 million people worldwide. The condition is characterized by red patches of dry skin that can develop into patchy areas of thickened and scaly skin called plaques.
The symptoms of psoriasis are variable, ranging from mild redness to obvious itching, scaling, and bleeding. Psoriasis can affect the torso, limbs, and lower back but more often affects the scalp, elbows, knees (patella psoriasis), fingernails, toenails, and possibly the genitals (epidermodysplasia verruciformis). While its exact cause is unknown, the condition is often triggered by an infection with Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
The symptoms of psoriasis may vary from person to person, but in general, they can be divided into three categories:
This is the most obvious symptom and the main reason people go to online doctors for psoriasis. Itchy, red patches of skin covered with silvery scales that turn white or yellow when scratched are characteristic of psoriasis. The condition affects roughly one in four adults in the US and about one in every 12 children.
These symptoms are often worse in hot weather or after physical activity. Psoriasis is often mistaken for another skin condition, such as eczema or dermatitis, because they all have similar symptoms. However, eczema usually appears in a more generalized area, while psoriasis is typically found in only one part of the body.
The itching is usually worse at night, especially when temperatures drop below 10 degrees C. Psoriasis can also cause a dry, scaly, peeling type of skin that's prone to cracking and bleeding easily.. In addition to itchy red patches, this symptom may cause cracking and flaking on the scalp and elbows, scaling on the scalp, and thickening and scaling on the nails (onychomycosis).
This occurs when psoriasis starts to affect underlying tissues, such as muscles and tendons, resulting in pain and stiffness that limit normal movement. People with psoriasis may also have high fevers (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) due to infection or other causes. If you notice any symptoms of psoriasis, it's important to get psoriasis treatment online from an online doctor at TelMDCare before it becomes more severe.
Psoriasis treatment is based on the severity of symptoms and the extent of your skin lesions.
These medications are available by prescription in cream, ointment, gel, spray, and lotion forms.
Below are some of the health complications associated with psoriasis:
Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. This may be due to inflammation caused by psoriasis on the heart valves and arteries. Psoriatic arthritis can also lead to coronary artery disease. The risk rises with more severe cases of psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis can cause kidney damage and chronic inflammation of the kidneys. Kidney function may be reduced in people who have had psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis for more than three years and those who smoke or drink alcohol excessively.
Psoriatic arthritis is associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis later in life. This can occur after the initial diagnosis has been made (prodromal phase) or later during treatment (tertiary phase). Psoriatic arthritis may also be associated with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, thyroid disorders, and diabetes mellitus.
In addition to joint pain, psoriasis can cause fatigue, depression, poor concentration, and low self-esteem. There is a higher incidence of depression in people with psoriasis than in those without it.
Psoriasis is often associated with certain infections, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) and bacterial skin infections. Sometimes, these infections cause the skin to become inflamed and red.
Psoriasis may be linked to other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), thyroiditis, and vitiligo. Autoimmune disorders are caused by your immune system attacking healthy cells in your body. The cause of psoriasis is still unknown in many cases, but it appears that genetics play a role in developing the disease.
The most common cause of psoriasis is an autoimmune disease called psoriatic arthritis (PsA), also known as plaque psoriasis. This can cause patches of red skin to develop on the elbows and knees. PsA is caused by a faulty immune system response to a person's cells. This triggers the body's immune system to attack its cells, which leads to inflammation and plaque formation on the skin.
PsA affects about 1 percent of people with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). There's no cure for PsA, but psoriasis treatment online can help manage symptoms and reduce joint pain and swelling in some people.
Changes in hormones, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause, may contribute to psoriasis flare-ups. In addition, oral contraceptives are known to trigger outbreaks of psoriasis in some women.
Hormonal changes can also affect the production of oils in the skin (sebum). Sebum helps protect us from bacteria and fungi in our bodies, but too much sebum can result in an itchy rash with thickened patches of skin filled with excess oil.
The most obvious sign of psoriasis is when you have red, scaly patches on your skin. These patches often develop slowly over time and are often found on your scalp, elbows, and knees. They may also appear on your hands or feet — though this is less common.
Other signs include:
Several factors can increase your risk of developing psoriasis, including:
Your age could play a role in your risk of developing psoriasis. It's thought that people tend to develop psoriasis as they get older because their immune system becomes less effective at fighting off infections. As you get older, you may also experience hormonal changes that affect your skin's oil production and shedding ability.
Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis than others. However, it's not clear why some people develop this condition while others do not. There are also environmental factors — such as stress or trauma — linked to psoriasis development in some individuals.
Researchers have identified genetic markers for certain types of psoriasis, but no single gene has been linked to all forms of this condition.
Women are more likely than men to have psoriasis, although the condition occurs in both sexes
Certain medical conditions or medicines can make psoriasis worse or trigger new outbreaks of the disease.
Caucasians are most often affected by psoriasis because they have lighter skin color than other races, which means they're more susceptible to sun damage than those with darker skin tones.
Research suggests that people with fair skin usually develop lesions on their arms, legs, and scalp; those with darker skin usually develop them on their face and scalp only. People with light-colored skin often have clusters of small patches that appear on their legs or arms; those with dark-colored skin tend to develop large plaques on their faces or forearms only.
*Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion.
We treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions and provide expert medical advice and guidance for our patients.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms of psoriasis, it's important to get psoriasis treatment online immediately. The longer you wait, the more serious your condition will become.
At TelMDCare, our online doctors offer professional treatment for all types of dermatology conditions, including psoriasis.
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Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches on your body's surface. The cause of psoriasis is unknown. But the condition appears to occur when the body's immune system attacks healthy skin cells (keratinocytes) in certain areas of the body — most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and genitalia.
Our online doctor for psoriasis will take your medical history from you and perform a physical examination to diagnose psoriasis.
We'll also ask about: