An autoimmune condition characterized by red, well-delineated plaques with silvery scales that are usually on the extensor surfaces and scalp. They can occasionally present with these manifestations: pustules; erythema and scaling in intertriginous areas, and erythroderma, that are often distributed on extensor surfaces and scalp.
Symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis
The following features are indicative of Plaque Psoriasis:
red patches on skin
small scaling spots
dry skin
cracked skin
itching
burning
soreness
thickened nails
pitted or ridged nails
swollen joints
stiff joints
genital sores in males
severe dandruff
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Common Causes of Plaque Psoriasis
The following are the most common causes of Plaque Psoriasis:
family history
alcohol use
sun burn
vitamin D deficiency
stress
skin injury
dry skin
Other Causes of Plaque Psoriasis
The following are the less common causes of Plaque Psoriasis:
AIDS
autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis
chemotherapy
smoking
Risk Factors for Plaque Psoriasis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Plaque Psoriasis:
family history
viral and bacterial infections
stress
obesity
smoking
Prevention of Plaque Psoriasis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Plaque Psoriasis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
keep skin clean and moist
avoid scrubbing too hard
daily baths
Occurrence of Plaque Psoriasis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Plaque Psoriasis cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Plaque Psoriasis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Plaque Psoriasis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Plaque Psoriasis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Plaque Psoriasis:
Skin biopsy: To determine the exact type of psoriasis and to rule out other disorders
Physical exam: To examine skin, scalp and nails
Doctor for Diagnosis of Plaque Psoriasis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Plaque Psoriasis:
Dermatologist
Complications of Plaque Psoriasis if untreated
Yes, Plaque Psoriasis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Plaque Psoriasis is left untreated:
psoriatic arthritis
conjunctivitis
blepharitis
uveitis
obesity
type 2 diabetes
hypertension
cardiovascular diseases
metabolic syndrome
celiac disease
sclerosis
Crohn's disease
parkinson's disease
kidney disease
emotional problems
Procedures for Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
The following procedures are used to treat Plaque Psoriasis:
UVB phototherapy: To improve mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms
Narrow band UVB phototherapy: To improve mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms
Goeckerman therapy: To improve mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms
Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy: To treat more-severe cases of psoriasis
Excimer laser therapy: To improve mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms
Self-care for Plaque Psoriasis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Plaque Psoriasis:
Take daily baths: Helps remove scales and calm inflamed skin
Use moisturizer: Helps preventing water from evaporating from skin
Expose skin to small amounts of sunlight: Helps improving psoriasis
Avoid drinking alcohol: Helps increasing the effectiveness of some psoriasis treatments
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Plaque Psoriasis:
Intake of Fish oil supplements: Helps reducing inflammation associated with psoriasis
Topical application of Oregon grape: Helps reducing inflammation and ease psoriasis symptoms
Patient Support for Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
The following actions may help Plaque Psoriasis patients:
Education: Helps recognizing, acknowledging and supporting efforts in dealing with the disease
Support groups: Provides sharing experience and struggles and meeting people who face similar challenges
Time for Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Plaque Psoriasis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: