What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a disease that is common in society and usually lasts for a long time with attacks.
It manifests itself with various appearances. In the most common type of plaque (psoriasis vulgaris), psoriasis
or silver-colored dandruff (flaking) that can be separated from healthy skin with sharp boundaries, covering the raised rashes on the skin and giving the disease its name, are typical.
In which parts of the world is psoriasis seen? What is its frequency?
Psoriasis is a common disease all over the world. However, the disease may be seen more or less frequently in some geographic regions. Again, the frequency may vary from one society to another. In general, it is thought that the incidence of the disease is affected by genetic and environmental factors
. Psoriasis is more common in cold northern climates
than in warmer tropical regions. In America and Europe, the disease occurs in approximately 2 out of every 100 people. On the other hand,
its incidence is lower in African and Asian countries, and it is seen in 1 person in every 100-200 people.
In which gender is psoriasis more common?
Psoriasis The disease is seen approximately equally in men and women.
At what age does psoriasis occur?
Psoriasis, which can occur at any age, most commonly begins between the ages of 20-30. The disease can be examined in 2 groups according to the age of onset. When psoriasis starts before the age of 40, it is considered early
onset, and when it starts after the age of 40, it is considered late-onset psoriasis.
Early-onset psoriasis tends to be more severe. Again this t Psoriasis is more common in families.
What are the causes of psoriasis? Who gets it?
The cause of the disease is not fully known. Psoriasis is thought to develop as a result of the interaction of immune system, genetic and environmental
factors. The immune system
plays an important role in the development of psoriasis. T cells, one of the main elements of the immune system, reach the skin through blood vessels and cause the cells called keratinocytes, which form the epidermis layer, the top layer of the skin, to proliferate
more rapidly. While the epidermis normally renews itself in 1 month, this period decreases to 3-5
days in psoriasis. This rapid cell proliferation ends with flaking in the psoriasis skin. It is not known what activates the immune system and T
cells. Genetic factors generally determine who will develop the disease. It is thought that many genes are responsible for the development of the disease. The frequent occurrence of the disease in close relatives of people with psoriasis is an important clue indicating genetic predisposition. It is thought that the disease begins or flares develop under the influence of various
environmental factors (throat infections caused by streptococci, some medications, scratching, physical trauma such as scrubbing in the bath, etc.).
What are the factors that play a role in the development of psoriasis attacks?
The following factors play a triggering role in individuals prone to psoriasis; Physical traumas;
Activities such as scratching, rubbing or picking, and practices such as rubbing or scrubbing in the bath may lead to psoriasis
attacks or aggravate existing symptoms. Development of psoriasis in skin damaged as a result of trauma
“Koebner phenomenon” It is called “width”. Sunlight; In most patients, moderate
sunlight improves disease symptoms. Therefore, symptoms may ease during the summer months. On the other hand, in some patients, excessive sun exposure or sunburns may cause attacks of the disease.
Infections; Guttate psoriasis, a special form of psoriasis, may occur 1-2 weeks after throat infections, especially caused by streptococcus. The same microbe may also play a role in attacks of plaque psoriasis, which is the most common form of the disease. Mental stresses; In some patients, a history of intense mental stress may be taken at the onset of psoriasis or before its exacerbation. In some patients, exclusion or treatment of this factor helps in relieving the symptoms of the disease. Medicines; Some medications can cause the development or exacerbation of the disease. Some of these drugs include cortisone taken orally or intravenously, antimalarial drugs, lithium used in mental diseases, beta blockers, which are blood pressure drugs, drugs such as interferon, which is used in many diseases, and some of the painkillers. Cigarette; In some patients, smoking may cause the development of the disease or the attack of existing
psoriasis. Alcohol; Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to attacks of the disease.
Is psoriasis a contagious disease?
It is not a disease that develops with microbes. Therefore, it is out of the question for you to
transmit your disease to someone else.
Is psoriasis hereditary?
Psoriasis is not a hereditary disease. However, there is a genetic predisposition for the disease.
This means that individuals with close blood relatives may develop sedation. The prevalence of EF disease is higher than other
individuals in society. Studies show that 1 in 3 patients with psoriasis have family members with close blood relatives who have psoriasis. As a result,
a predisposition to psoriasis can be transmitted from parent to child. However, this does not mean that the child will have psoriasis.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque Type Psoriasis)
The most common form of psoriasis is This is the clinical form seen. Plaque psoriasis is seen in 8 or 9 out of every 10 psoriasis patients. Pink and red symptoms are observed, which are oval or round, separated from the intact skin by a sharp border, and have silver-coloured flakes on them. Although it can be located in almost any area of the skin, the most common localization areas are the knees, elbows, head, scalp and lower back.
Symptoms may be minor at first; These coalesce or grow towards the environment, causing large and diverse
shaped, raised-on-the-skin symptoms. Psoriasis can sometimes be located in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, groin, under the breast, the area between the hips, the back of the knee, the inner surface of the elbow and the neck. This form of the disease is called Inverse Psoriasis
(psoriasis inversa) 3. In inverse psoriasis, redness is more obvious, whereas flaking is not visible
. When the typical symptoms of psoriasis are located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, it is defined as Palmoplantar
Psoriasis. In this clinic, skin thickening and flaking are at the forefront. These last two
special conditions may be more resistant to treatments. Head scalp location (scalp psoriasis);
symptoms are usually seen without itching, having a red base, separated from the healthy-looking skin by sharp borders, and covered with
thick and larger scales than simple dandruff. It does not usually cause hair loss
It does not cause hair loss.
Guttate Psoriasis (Psoriasis Guttata)
Mostly occurs in the upper half of the body, in the parts of the arms and legs close to the body, and raindrops
sized (less than 1 cm), round or oval, pink, red colored, raised skin flakes. It is frequently seen in children and adolescents. It may develop especially
1-2 weeks after pharyngitis (throat infection) caused by streptococcus or a viral infection.
It may also occur as an acute exacerbation of pre-existing plaque-type psoriasis. Symptoms
usually regress within a few weeks, sometimes within 3 months.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Psoriasis covers more than 80% of the entire body. During the active periods of the disease, psoriasis may become generalized due to triggering factors (medication, excessive sunlight, trauma, infection, etc.) and may affect the entire skin, including the face and nails. Psoriasis has all the symptoms; however, redness is the most
distinctive feature. This severe form of psoriasis occurs in 1-2 out of every 100 psoriasis patients. These
patients usually need close follow-up and treatment in hospital conditions.
Pustular Psoriasis
In this clinical form, purulent pimples are found. Symptoms may develop over typical plaques of psoriasis or may appear directly on otherwise intact skin. Purulent pimples with a diameter of 2-3
mm and surrounded by red halos are typical. 2 different versions of this table It has view k; Palmoplantar pustular
psoriasis; Symptoms are located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It is considered to be closely related to smoking
. Diffuse pustular psoriasis; It has a widespread
location on the body, especially being more evident in fold areas. In generalized pustular psoriasis, general disease symptoms such as fever, weakness, and joint pain may also be observed. Hospitalization and follow-up and treatment may be required. Psoriasis of the Joints (Arthropathic Psoriasis) is an inflammatory condition that involves the joint surfaces, as well as the joint ligaments, tendons and joint membrane. It occurs in approximately 2 out of every 10 psoriasis patients. It is often seen at the age of 40. Complaints may be limited to a single joint (knee joint, hip joint, etc.). In a significant portion of patients, more than 5 joints, especially the hand joints, are affected, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Pain,
redness and swelling are observed in the joints. Most patients have skin
symptoms of psoriasis somewhere on the body. Nail involvement is common in joint involvement of psoriasis. Again
current information indicates that joint involvement is more common in patients with psoriasis in the scalp and hip area.
Nail Changes in Psoriasis
In approximately half of the patients with psoriasis. Fingernails and toenails are affected in 1 out of every 3 patients. As mentioned above, it is more common in patients with joint involvement. Pinhead-sized pits on the nail surface are typical for the disease. Separation of the nail from its bed (onycholysis),
yellowish discoloration under the nail plate (oil stain appearance), nail loss and nail Thickening of the skin under the free
section are other nail changes that can be seen in psoriasis.
What is the course of psoriasis?
Psoriasis generally has a long-term course with unpredictable attacks and periods of recovery< br /> is watching. The disease may disappear completely in approximately only 1 in every 3-4 patients. The
guttate form of psoriasis tends to last shorter. Symptom of the disease
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