Psoriasis is not simply a “skin condition.” In reality, it develops underneath the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic or long-lasting condition of the immune system that can range from mild to severe. At times, it may be linked to diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide advanced skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.
How Psoriasis Occurs
The psoriasis symptoms on the skin’s surface are only a part of the complete story. The body takes around 28 to 30 days to produce new skin cells and shed the old ones if the skin is healthy.
When an individual has plaque psoriasis, the immune system becomes hyperactive causing skin inflammation. This leads to the skin cells being 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 so rapidly. This causes old, dead skin cells to collect over each other as new skin cells are being produced at a rapid rate. This rapid generation of new skin cells causes the old ones to be pushed to the surface of the skin.
This leads to the development of red, itchy, thick, and flaky patches known as plaques. But the exact causes for the development of psoriasis are unknown.
Psoriasis Types
Many people are not aware that there are various forms of psoriasis. However, a person typically has one form of the condition at a time. Every type of psoriasis has distinct symptoms that can manifest on the skin in various ways.
It is vital to understand and share with other individuals that regardless of the location of psoriasis or what it looks like, it is not contagious.
Plaque Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. Plaque psoriasis typically develops on the lower back, elbows, knees, and scalp. This is the most commonly occurring type of psoriasis, and 80 percent of all psoriasis patients have this form.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis typically initiates in childhood or young adulthood. This type of psoriasis appears as tiny, pink individual spots on the legs, arms, and torso. These spots are usually not as thick as plaque lesions.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis occurs in sites such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and other skin folds around the buttocks and genitals. This type of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis usually develops in adults. It is characterized by the presence of blisters of noninfectious pus surrounded by red skin. It can be localized to particular body areas such as the feet or hands or may cover a substantial part of the body.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is especially inflammatory and affects most of the body’s surface. It is characterized by the presence of extensive, periodic 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 associated with psoriasis, known as psoriatic arthritis.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for state of the art skin care procedures.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)
Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.