Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin disease that causes a rapid buildup of skin cells. This buildup results in the formation of thick, red plaques with silvery scales. Psoriasis can coexist with many systemic diseases and has a significant impact on patients’ daily lives and mental health, affecting their overall quality of life. It affects 0.6-4.8% of people.

Causes

The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully known, but it’s believed to be related to an immune system dysfunction. In a healthy person, skin cells grow and shed in about a month. In a person with psoriasis, this process occurs in just a few days, causing cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface. Newer data suggest that psoriasis has a genetic basis that can be activated by internal and external factors (smoking, stress, poor diet, infections, injuries, medications, etc.).

Symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person, but the most common ones include:

  • Red plaques with silvery scales: These are the most characteristic signs of psoriasis and usually appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and back.
  • Itching and pain: Affected areas can be itchy, burning, or painful.
  • Nail thickening: Nails may become thick, discolored, or develop small pits (in 50% of patients). This is more common in young people and is an indicator of disease severity as it is linked to psoriatic arthritis.
  • Swollen and stiff joints: In some cases, psoriasis can lead to psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints (in 20-30% of patients, primarily aged 30-50).

Interesting Facts

  • Patients with psoriasis often have increased body weight.
  • Hyperlipidemia is quite common in psoriasis patients.
  • Patients with psoriasis have a 60% higher risk of developing arterial hypertension than the rest of the population.
  • Patients with severe psoriasis have a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction.
  • 17-60% of patients with psoriasis have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is influenced by the severity of the psoriasis. They also have an increased risk of developing fibrosis and, consequently, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
  • Psoriasis patients are more likely to develop malignancies than the general population (especially non-melanoma skin cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma).
  • Psoriasis patients often suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety disorders (30%), depression (60%), and suicidal tendencies (10%).

All these facts support the finding that psoriasis is a systemic disease that is not limited to the skin but coexists with a multitude of other pathological conditions that share a common denominator: inflammation. For this reason, it is advisable for a dermatologist to collaborate with other specialists for the early diagnosis and treatment of other systemic diseases.

Treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that cannot be fully cured, but there are many treatments that can help control the symptoms. Treatments may include:

  • Topical creams and ointments: These are applied directly to the skin and contain ingredients such as corticosteroids or vitamin D.
  • Phototherapy: The skin is exposed to controlled doses of ultraviolet light.
  • Systemic therapies: These are medications taken orally or by injection that target the immune system.

It is important to consult a dermatologist to determine the best treatment for your specific case.