Take care of your skin health: understand what psoriasis is, its possible causes and treatment options.

Are you familiar with psoriasis? This is a medical condition commonly present in the lives of Brazilians, although it is little discussed.

With the aim of raising awareness and answering questions about this subject, we have prepared a special content with Dr. Gabriela Mynarski Martins-Costa, a renowned dermatologist at Hospital Mãe de Deus.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the appearance of lesions, mainly on the skin.

In some cases, it can also affect the joints, known as psoriatic arthritis. There is a genetic predisposition to developing the condition, and triggering factors such as stress or infections can trigger symptoms.

What are the main symptoms and features?

The main symptoms of psoriasis include the appearance of red, scaly plaques on the knees, elbows and scalp, although they can occur anywhere on the body. Nails can also be affected, appearing white, cracked and thick, sometimes resembling fungal infections.

The scalp may become red and flaky, accompanied by itchiness. Other common areas for the appearance of lesions are the lumbosacral region, navel, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Joints can also become inflamed, manifesting as redness, swelling and pain.

In addition, psoriasis is associated with other medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, depression, migraines, multiple sclerosis, asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as some liver and kidney diseases.

What are the types of psoriasis?

The most common type is chronic plaque psoriasis, also known as vulgar psoriasis, characterized by the appearance of lesions on the knees, elbows and scalp.

Another clinical form is inverted psoriasis, in which lesions tend to occur in skin folds, such as the region between the buttocks, armpits and groin.

In addition, there is guttate psoriasis, in which several small lesions appear abruptly, mainly on the trunk, usually after a strep throat infection.

Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis is a rare form in which lesions similar to small blisters of pus appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

There are also rarer and more severe forms of psoriasis, such as generalized pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis, in which the lesions may cover much of the skin surface and be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as malaise, fever and chills.

What are the causes?

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of genetic origin that can be triggered by several factors.

Among them are psychological stress, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, skin lesions, certain infections (such as HIV and streptococcus) and the use of certain medications (such as lithium, interferon, beta-blockers, anti-inflammatories, among others). others).

What treatments are available?

Treatments vary according to the type and severity of the disease. In mild cases, topical treatments are often effective, including the use of emollient moisturizers, creams and shampoos with anti-inflammatory properties.

When topical therapy is not enough to control the disease or in more severe and extensive cases, phototherapy (controlled exposure to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight) and systemic medications (such as immunosuppressants and immunobiologicals) can be used.

It is important to emphasize that the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis must be carried out by a dermatologist.