Psoriasis

Question 1

What is Psoriasis?

Answer 1

A chronic skin condition that causes raised, inflamed, scaly patches on the skin

Question 2

What causes Psoriasis?

Answer 2

Aetiology –
* genetic predisposition (quite ‘hot’ people have it!)
* immunologic factors,
* environmental triggers

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of Psoriasis?

Answer 3

Pathophysiology –
- Considered to be autoimmune in nature
- Epidermis infilitrated by activated T cells triggering excessive proliferation of keratinocytes
- Elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators released
- More rapid cell turnover rate, vascular dilation in affected areas

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of Psoriasis?

Answer 4

Signs and symptoms:
* Itching, burning, soreness
* Thickened, scaly patchy rash (red
with silver scale on white skin, purplish with grey scale on dark skin)
* Dry, cracked, possibly bleeding
skin

Question 5

What is diagnosis and conventional treatment for Psoriasis?

Answer 5

Diagnosis–
- Case history and physical examination
- Biopsy to rule out other conditions
- Blood tests and xray of joints to check for psoriatic arthritis, if also complaining of joint pain

Conventional treatment
- Topical corticosteroids or topical
vitamin D analogues
- Phototherapy
- Oral steroids, injected biologics, immunosuppressants