Different types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder. It is considered and autoimmune disease. This means your immune system gets confused and attacks your body instead of protecting it. Psoriasis causes your skin to develop red, scaly and itchy patches. It can cause both physical pain, discomfort and emotional stress.
There is no known cure for Psoriasis, but you can manage symptoms and still live your life to its fullest potential. Here is the list of most common Psoriasis types and their treatments:
Plaque Psoriasis
The most common form of Psoriasis. It causes dry, raised skin. With red lesions covered with white, silver color scales. Plaques may be itchy and painful. Lesions can appear anywhere on your body, but most commonly your elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.
To ease discomfort it is recommended to keep moisturizing areas affected by plaque.
You should consult your doctor to identify your triggers, Common treatments:
- UVB Light Therapy
- Vitamin D Creams
- Topical Retinoids
- Application of Coal Tar
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate Psoriasis appears in small red spots on the skin. It is the second most common form of Psoriasis. The spots are small, separate, drop shaped. Mostly appear on torso and limbs, in rare case can appear on face and scalp.
Spots are not as thick as Plaque Psoriasis, but untreated over time can develop into Plaque. Main Guttate Psoriasis triggers: Strep Throat, Stress, Skin Injury, Infection.
You should consult your doctor to identify your triggers, Common treatments:
- UVB Light Therapy
- Steroid Creams
- Oral Medication
- If bacterial infection caused Guttate Psoriasis outbreak, Antibiotics
Flexural or Inverse Psoriasis
Flexural or Inverse Psoriasis often appears in skin folds, armpits, groin area, under breasts. It usually appears red, shiny and smooth. The sweat and moisture from skin folds keeps psoriasis from shedding skin scales. It can be painful and difficult to treat form of Psoriasis. Inverse Psoriasis is a rare form and usually comes with other forms of psoriasis.
You should consult your doctor to identify your triggers, Common treatments:
- UVB Light Therapy
- Steroid Creams, Depending on severity steroid creams are lower potency to reduce skin thinning
- Oral Medication
- Applying medication that reduces Yeast and Bacterial growths
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular Psoriasis is a severe and painful form of Psoriasis, It appears as widespread skin inflammation (red and swollen) with white or yellow pustules. It develops very quickly pus filled blisters can appear just hours after skin inflammation. The pus consist of white blood cells and is not a sign of infection. Non the less you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Pustular Psoriasis can cause Flu like symptoms: Fever, chills, rapid pulse, headache, muscle weakness, joint pain.
You should consult your doctor to identify your triggers, Common treatments:
- UVB Light Therapy
- Corticosteroid Creams
- Oral Medication
- Identifying and treating underlying cause to reduce reoccurrence