Psoriasis - What are the Symptoms ?

There are several types of Psoriasis. These include plaque psoriasis, nail psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis. The symptoms are not uniform and can vary from one individual to the other.

• Reddishness of the skin often covered by silvery scales (plaque & guttate psoriasis)

• Tiny scaling spots (guttate psoriasis)

• Cracked and dry skin which at times may also bleed

• Soreness, itching or burning

• Pitted, thickened or ridged nails

• Stiff and swollen joints.

While mild cases of psoriasis may not cause a major concern, in more severe instances it can be disabling, disfiguring and even painful at times. Most forms of psoriasis form a cyclic process in which it flares up a couple of weeks or in certain cases even months. After the initial flare up subsides, it may even disappear. However, the problem can revisit at any time.

Malfunctioning of the body’s immune system is often responsible for the outbreak of psoriasis. Sometimes the immune system may attack tissues, cells and organs instead of viruses, bacteria and other elements. The immune system makes a mistake and attack the body. Such a problem is termed as an autoimmune disease and psoriasis comes under this category. Another opinion in the medical world is that fungi and bacteria can also trigger psoriasis. Whatever is the trigger, psoriasis makes the skin cells acts differently.

Heredity is a strong contributor to this condition though the lack of a family history is not an insurance against psoriasis. Further, age or gender is not of any particular significance. A general trend however, is that it occurs more in the 15-35 age group. Diagnosing psoriasis is often achieved through its classic symptoms. Medical advice should be sought at the earliest.