Psoriasis is not only a superficial dermatological condition. It is actually a condition that develops beneath the skin. Psoriasis refers to a chronic or long-lasting condition of the immune system that can range from mild to severe.
At times, this condition may be linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide advanced skin care procedures to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.
How Psoriasis Develops
Psoriasis symptoms that appear on the skin’s surface are only a part of the story. The body only takes around 28 to 30 days to create new skin cells and shed old ones with healthy skin.
Individuals who have psoriasis have immune systems that become overactive leading to skin inflammation. This, in turn, causes the skin cells to be produced at a faster rate than normal. The new skin cells are pushed to the surface of the skin in three to four days rather than the standard 28 to 30 days.
However, the body cannot shed new skin cells quickly. This leads to the old, dead skin cells accumulating over each other as new skin cells are being produced rapidly.
The fast generation of new skin cells causes the old cells to be pushed to the skin’s surface leading to the development of thick, itchy, flaky, and red patches called plaques.
However, the exact reason for the occurrence of psoriasis is not known.
Psoriasis Types
Many people are unaware that there are many types of psoriasis. But a patient usually experiences only one type of condition at a given time. Each form of psoriasis has different symptoms and can manifest on the skin in various ways.
It is important to understand as well as share with other people that regardless of where the psoriasis is located on the body or what it appears like, it is not a contagious condition.
Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis appears as elevated, swollen, red lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. This condition usually develops on the knees, scalp, lower back, and elbows. This form of psoriasis occurs most frequently, and around 80 percent of all psoriasis patients have plaque psoriasis.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis usually initiates in childhood or young adulthood. This form of psoriasis occurs in the form of small, pink individual spots on the arms, legs, and torso. These spots are typically not as thick as plaque outbreaks.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis develops in areas such as the groin, armpits, under the breasts, or other skin folds in the butt and genital region. This form of psoriasis looks like bright red lesions that are shiny and smooth.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis usually occurs in adults and is characterized by the presence of blisters non-infectious pus surrounded by red skin. This condition may be limited to specific areas of the body such as the hands and feet, or cover a substantial area of the body.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is especially inflammatory and impacts most of the body’s surface. Its distinguishing feature is the presence of occasional, extensive red skin and the shedding of skin in scales.
Psoriasis and Joint Pain
If a patient with psoriasis also experiences stiffness, pain, and inflammation in and around their joints, they may be suffering from the symptoms of a condition related to 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 safe and proven skin care treatments.
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.