Psoriasis Flashcards
what is psoriasis
a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease
typical psoriasis presentation
clearly defines, red scaly plaques. Very itchy and can have a severe impact on quality of life
what is the pathology behind psoriasis
autoimmune inflammation leads to increased keratinocyte proliferation causing increased turn over and shedding of cells
what keratinocyte defects are seen in psoriasis
keratinocytes produce more keratin making them thicker
maintain their nuclei - parakeratosis
Keratinocytes don’t adhere properly leading to scaling
how does plaque psoriasis present
flattened areas of elevation
inflamed and red
white-silver scales
scalp and tensor regions
how does guttate psoriasis present
after a strep infection
small, red individual spots on trunk and limbs
starts in childhood
how does inverse psoriasis present
smooth and shiny red lesions within skin folds
how does pustular psoriasis present
red skin
white elevations of pus
hands and feet
how does erythrodermic psoriasis present
fire-red scales
extremely itchy and painful
scales fall off in sheets
what nail changes are seen in psoriasis
onycholysis (detachment of nail from bed)
dystrophy
pitting
subungual hyperkeratosis
what are some histological findings seen in psoriasis
elongation of rete ridges thickening of prickle cell layer thin basal layer neutrophils at surface corneal abscess
how is psoriasis diagnoses
history and distribution of disease
skin biopsy
topical treatments for psoriasis
Bit D analogues Coal tar Dithranol Steroid ointments Emollients
what are some non-topical psoriasis treatments
narrowband UVB and PUVA
immunosuppression eg. methotrexate
Immune modulation such as targeted biological agents
what are some co-morbidities related to psoriasis
psoriatic arthritis metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, lipid abnormalities) Crohn's Cancer Depression Uveitis Alcohol problems and smoking
