Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune illness that causes patches of red, inflamed skin covered with silvery scales, though its extent may not be so wide-ranging. The explanation for this could lie in the level of its seriousness, which, in most cases is not so serious, and in some, it can be somewhat seriously pronounced, though it depends highly on the individual. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the causes and symptoms of plaque psoriasis. Ayurvedic remedies for plaque psoriasis, and other natural treatments for psoriasis.
What is Plaque Psoriasis: A Brief Overview
Plaque psoriasis represents the most common form of the condition, found in around 80% of all diagnosed persons. This is a condition wherein the immune system fails to recognize healthy skin cells and mistakenly attacks them, leading to the rapid proliferation of skin cells.
Under normal circumstances, the skin regenerates every 28 to 30 days, but in people with plaque psoriasis, this cycle may occur in just a few days. The development of cells at the outer layer of the skin results in the plaques, which is a feature of the disease.
Causes of Plaque Psoriasis
There are still several very complex and multifactorial causes of plaque psoriasis. Although genetic factors may present an important role, there are hundreds of factors that have been shown to contribute to the development or worsening of symptoms. Some more frequent ones include:
- Genetic Predisposition: Most cases of plaque psoriasis are related to a family history of the disease. Several genes have been identified that predispose a person to developing the disease, making it a hereditary condition in some respects.
- Immune System Dysfunction: Most fundamentally, plaque psoriasis is an auto-immune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy skin cells thereby increasing the rate of turnover of the skin cells. Ultimately, such fast production of the skin cells determines the appearance of the top layers as thick, patchy scales.
- Environmental Triggers: Several external factors may trigger or worsen symptoms in susceptible individuals, including those with plaque psoriasis. Among the most common inducers the stress, skin lesions, and different types of infection.
- Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle choices that lead to an enhanced severity and frequency of flare-ups are obesity which directly increases the inflammatory response within the body and can also enhance symptoms in a patient. Smoking increases the risk of developing the condition and aggravates already present cases. An intake of alcohol higher than what the body can tolerate can provoke flare-ups and, hence, hinder the effectiveness of any kind of treatment.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal alterations are known to affect the onset and worsening of some cases of psoriasis. This effect is, however, commonly observed in patients undergoing puberty or menopause.
- Medications: Plaque psoriasis has been linked to certain medications. Among these are lithium, beta-blockers, and antimalarials. Prior patients of the disease should inform their physician about any medication they are on.
Symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis
The symptoms of psoriasis can vary significantly from person to person, and in addition, several characteristic manifestations may be included. The identification of symptoms is thus crucial because it leads to early diagnosis and effective management.
The most common clinical manifestations include:
- Red Patches of Skin: The most prevalent sign that is associated with this disease is the skin lesions, which often have typical red and elevated patches. The lesions are not well-defined, and a variety of size ranges can be seen. Often, the patches become covered with thick silvery-white scales.
- Dry, Cracked Skin: The affected areas do tend to become dry sometimes, which can cause them to crack. This may bleeding, which can be particularly quite uncomfortable and even cause further irritation.
- Itching or Burning Sensation: Many patients also suffer from itching, burning, and soreness in affected areas. The intensity of these stimuli varies considerably, with some feeling only a little discomfort, while others undergo something very distracting with irritation.
- Swollen and stiff joints: People with plaque psoriasis may experience psoriatic arthritis. This is a type of arthritis that causes the pain and swelling of joints. Some people even feel stiff, often when they have been inactive for a long time.
- Plaques in Specific Areas: Plaques can potentially occur anywhere on the body. But the most common sites are the elbows and knees. Other places plaques develop include the scalp and the lower back. Plaques can also occur in less visible sites, such as under the breasts or in the folds of the skin.
Types of Plaque Psoriasis
The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis; however, the disease actually can occur in a myriad of different ways. Although plaque psoriasis is the most common presentation, this condition can take on several different forms.
Here are the primary types:
- Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common form and involves chronic, elevated, red patches covered with silvery scales. These plaques can occur anywhere on the body and generally last a long time, often needing some management over the long term.
- Guttate Psoriasis: This is commonly met in younger patients and usually appears as small, teardrop-sized lesions. It generally occurs due to infections like streptococcal pharyngitis and commonly occurs on the trunk, arms, and legs.
- Inverse Psoriasis: This variant typically tends to be mainly restricted to the folds of the skin, for instance under the breasts, in the groin, and in the armpits. Typically, the lesions are smooth red patches without any scaling apparent. Inverse psoriasis is very likely to worsen from the effect of friction and sweating.
- Pustular Psoriasis: It can be localized to areas like the hands and feet, marked by white pustules (blisters) with red skin encircling them, or it can be very generalized. It might be a little uncomfortable and sometimes is associated with systemic symptoms.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is a severe and rare form that affects large parts of the body, with redness and sloughing over vast areas. The condition is extremely itchy and painful, and treatments often require immediate medical attention since it can cause complications in some instances.
Treatment Options for Plaque Psoriasis
Management of plaque psoriasis usually involves a combination of treatments specific to the severity of the condition and personal patient needs. Here are the main treatment alternatives available:
Topical Treatments
Topical treatment is the first line of treatment for people with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. The topical medicines are applied directly on the skin. These include anti-inflammatory creams and ointments in various potencies that help reduce redness and scaling. Vitamin D like calcipotriene slows down the proliferation of skin cells, which can help flatten lesions.
Topical retinoids such as tazarotene can reduce inflammatory signs and scaling and induce the turnover of the cells of the skin. This is an Ayurvedic traditional treatment for psoriasis with effects that include scaling and itching. It is found in many cream and ointment preparations and is also used in shampoos.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is the exposure to UV light under controlled conditions so that the growth of skin cells is slowed and inflammatory effects are reduced. Different types of phototherapy include exposure to UVB rays either by using special lamps or by consulting a medical professional.
A method of UV treatment wherein a photosensitizing medication is mixed with UVA light to increase the efficiency of treatment.
Systemic Medications
More severe plaque psoriasis may require systemic treatments that touch various aspects of the body. These can be oral or injectable, including but not limited to a conventional systemic drug that inhibits immune activity and reduces skin cell production.
The targeted therapies that inhibit a portion of the immune system, such as biological therapy, tend to be for moderate to severe cases and include drugs such as adalimumab and etanercept. Acitretin is a good example that may decrease cutaneous turnover and therefore usually is reserved for severe cases.
Conclusion
A multifactorial disease, it is caused by genetic, immune, and environmental factors. The disease itself cannot be cured, but spreading the knowledge of causes of plaque psoriasis, identification of its symptoms, and further research on possible treatments including Ayurvedic remedies for plaque psoriasis and other natural treatments for psoriasis can improve the quality of life in such patients.
See a doctor if you feel you are afflicted with plaque psoriasis to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. The integration of medical interventions and lifestyle modifications into a holistic approach will make it possible for one to tackle their symptoms effectively to live productive lives. It should be remembered that early diagnosis and a proactive approach would significantly reduce the impact of this chronic condition.
