What Exactly Is Psoriasis?

What Exactly Is Psoriasis?

Do you have scaly patches of dry, itchy skin that linger and flare up from time to time? If you answered yes, then you may be suffering from psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, but it can be managed with the right treatment. Dr. Sharon Horton is dedicated to providing care for skin disorders such as psoriasis at Advanced Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, in Batavia IL.

Psoriasis and your Skin

In the United States, as many as 8 million people suffer from psoriasis. It is a chronic auto-immune disease, which means the body mistakenly instructs the immune system to attack healthy cells. If you suffer from psoriasis, you may experience flare-ups that subside after a few days or weeks. Sometimes the cause of psoriasis is not known, but flare-up triggers can include sunburn, scrapes, insect bites, and infection. There are five types of psoriasis, having your type diagnosed is an important part of getting the right treatments.

Types of Psoriasis

The five types of psoriasis include:

  • Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common form of the disease. Plaque psoriasis causes patches of thick, scaly skin which can occur on your elbows, knees, legs, arms, and scalp. The patches often have a silvery color due to a build-up of dead skin cells. Plaque psoriasis can be painful and itchy. If the skin is not sufficiently moisturized it can crack and bleed.
  • Guttate Psoriasis: This less common form of psoriasis, which often arises during childhood. It appears as small red lesions, typically about the size of a penny or smaller. Guttate psoriasis can occur on your scalp, face, ears, and sometimes on your torso.
  • Inverse Psoriasis: Also known as intertriginous psoriasis, this form occurs in your body’s skin folds, such as in the armpit, behind the knee, or in the groin. The lesions are small and smooth. Inverse psoriasis can coexist with other forms of this disease.
  • Pustular Psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis takes the form white, pus-filled of blisters that are surrounded by inflamed skin. It can occur on any part of your body and is painful and itchy.
  • Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is a rare and very severe form of the disease and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. It causes bright red lesions, which cover most of your body. It also causes severe pain and itching.

You don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of psoriasis; effective treatments are available to reduce and prevent flare-ups. Contact Dr. Horton today at 630-482-3700 to find out more.

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