5 Things You Need to Know About Plaque Psoriasis

1. The Many Faces of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition marked by inflammation, redness, itching and even lesions of the skin. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form. Other types of psoriasis are nail (affecting finger and toe nails), scalp, guttate (small sores on torso, arms, legs and scalp), inverse (forms in folds such as armpits, under breasts and in the groin), pustular (marked by pus-filled blisters) and the rare erythrodermis (a peeling rash over the entire body). Psoriasis can change from one type to another, or in some cases a person may have more than one type at the same time.

2. You're Not Alone When You Have Plaque Psoriasis

An astounding 80 percent of people who suffer from psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris (meaning "common"). Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States have this condition. It is marked by red, inflamed skin lesions covered by a white plaque, or scales. It is mostly seen in the areas of the knees and elbows, though can also be found on the torso, arms, legs, lower back or scalp. During a normal cycle, skin cells are replaced every 30 days or so; with plaque psoriasis, the skin is being replaced every three or four days, resulting in raised plaque, or scales, on the skin.

3. Why Is My Skin So Itchy?

Psoriasis is thought to be an abnormal reaction of the immune system wherein white cells attack the skin, mistaking healthy skin cells for bacteria or infection. This causes the cells to build up in raised lesions on the surface of the skin. Heredity can play a part in the development of plaque psoriasis (about a third of the people who suffer from it have a relative who also has it). It's also believed that a person might possess a certain type of gene that can cause their immune system to react in this way.

4. Other Bit Parts on the Psoriasis Stage

There are other factors that can trigger the start of or worsen the existing symptoms of plaque psoriasis: any type of injury to the skin, such as a cut, scrape or insect bite, stress, sunburn, an infection in the body such as strep throat or HIV, smoking, cold weather (can lead to dry skin), drinking too much alcohol and even some prescribed medications.

5. Chase the Itch Away

While there are treatments, both self-care and medical, there is no cure for plaque psoriasis, or any other type of psoriasis. Using skin moisturizers and cortisone creams can help relieve symptoms. Bath soaks with oil are also soothing. More aggressive medical treatments include topical vitamin D or corticosteroids (sometimes used in conjunction with phototherapy, a regulated exposure to ultraviolet B light) and medications designed to suppress the immune system.