A person can have psoriasis and not even know that. It’s true. If left undiagnosed and untreated, psoriasis can go for years without causing symptoms. The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the type of psoriasis people have.
Here Are the Top Five Symptoms of Psoriasis:
Rashes or red, inflammatory patches of skin, often coated in loose, silver-colored scales; in extreme cases, the plaques will expand and merge into one another, covering enormous areas.
Discoloration and pitting of one’s fingernails and toenails; the nails may also crumble or detach from the nail bed
Scaly plaques on the scalp
Itchy skin that might split or bleed
Small spots of bleeding where the affected skin is scratched
Psoriasis can also cause psoriatic arthritis, leading to achy joints and swelling.
What Sets Off Flare-Ups?
Every person who suffers from this illness has a unique set of triggers. Things that cause one’s psoriasis to flare up may not affect another person with psoriasis.
If one figures out what triggers their psoriasis, they’ll be better able to keep the condition under control. Due to its origin in the immune system, certain triggers can worsen symptoms, such as:
Cold and Dry Weather
Any climate that eases dry skin will be beneficial. If a person has dry skin, they should try to spend some time in warm, sunny weather with a high humidity level.
Stress
Keep calm and try to relax. When a person is stressed, outbreaks are more likely to occur.
Certain Medicines
Some “beta-blocker” medications that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, and lithium, which is a bipolar disorder treatment, can cause flare-ups. If a person has psoriasis and is being treated for any illnesses, check with the doctor.
Infections
A small list of diseases, such as strep throat and tonsillitis, can cause a unique type of psoriasis eruption. It appears as little drips that mostly show up on the torso and limbs. Infection with HIV can add to the problem.
Injuries
Minor wounds, bruising, and burns might trigger an outbreak in some people. Even tattoos and bug bites have the potential to cause a new lesion. To avoid a break in the skin, put on gloves or an extra layer of clothing.
Alcohol
Drinking, especially heavy drinking in young men, can increase symptoms and make treatment more difficult. Certain psoriasis treatments might have hazardous side effects when used with alcohol, especially for women in their reproductive years.
Smoking
Tobacco consumption or exposure to secondhand smoke increases the chance of developing psoriasis and exacerbates existing problems.
Psoriasis in People Who Have Darker Skin
Though it affects all skin tones, psoriasis shows up differently on darker skin. Psoriasis in African Americans is often reddish in hue, with gray scaling. It can be dark brown and difficult to spot on very dark skin. Hispanic skin is prone to psoriasis that is dark red in hue with a silvery-white scale.
Patches lighter or darker than one’s skin color may linger after psoriasis has cleared. These are not scars, and they will fade with time, which could take anywhere from a few months to a year or more. A dermatologist (skin doctor) might be able to help one get rid of them faster.
