Psoriasis is not just a superficial dermatology condition. In reality, this condition develops underneath the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic or long-lasting condition of the immune system that can range from mild to severe.
This condition may sometimes be linked to diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and psoriatic arthritis.
Suncoast Skin Solutions, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Ewanowski, provides advanced skin care treatments to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and surrounding locations.
How Psoriasis Develops
The symptoms of psoriasis that manifest on the surface of the skin are only a part of the story. With healthy skin, the body takes around 28 to 30 days to produce new skin cells and shed old ones.
People suffering from psoriasis have immune systems that become overactive causing skin inflammation. Due to this, the skin cells are produced faster than normal. The new skin cells are pushed to the skin’s surface in three to four days instead of the standard 28 to 30 days.
But the body cannot shed the new skin cells that rapidly. This causes the old, dead skin cells collecting over each other as new skin cells are being produced at a rapid rate.
The fast production of new skin cells causes the old ones to be pushed to the surface of the skin. This leads to the development of itchy, thick, flaky, and red patches known as plaques.
But the exact reason for the development of psoriasis is unknown.
Psoriasis Types
Many individuals are not aware that there are various forms of psoriasis. However, a patient typically experiences only one form of the condition at a time. Each type of psoriasis has distinct symptoms and can appear on the skin in multiple ways.
It is vital to understand and share with other people that irrespective of where psoriasis is located on the body or what it looks like, it is not contagious.
Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. This condition typically manifests on the lower back, knees, scalp, and elbows. This type of psoriasis occurs most commonly, and 80 percent of all psoriasis patients have this form.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis typically starts in childhood or young adulthood. This type of psoriasis manifests in the form of tiny, pink individual spots on the torso, arms, and legs. These spots are usually not as thick as plaque outbreaks.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis occurs in sites such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts and other skin folds in the buttock and genital area. This type of psoriasis appears as bright red lesions that are smooth and shiny.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis often develops in adults. It is characterized by the presence of blisters of noninfectious pus surrounded by red skin. It can be restricted to certain areas of the body such as the feet and hands, or cover a large area of the body.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This form of psoriasis is particularly inflammatory and affects most of the body’s surface. It is characterized by the presence of occasional, extensive red skin and the shedding of scales in sheets.
Psoriasis and Joint Pain
In case a patient has psoriasis and experiences pain, stiffness, or swelling in and around their joints, they may be suffering from the symptoms of a condition related to psoriasis called psoriatic arthritis.
Dr. Ewanowski’s skin care clinic receives patients from Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and nearby areas for a wide range of skin treatments.
SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Petersburg / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz (2 locations), Winter Haven, Largo, Riverview, Brooksville, Ocala, Largo at Bardmoor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, and Palm Harbor, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.
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