What is Psoriasis?

The term psoriasis comes from the Greek words: ψωρ- (itching) and –ίαση (pathological condition). Chronic generalized psoriasis has been described as "one of the sufferings affecting the human race", causing a sense of shame and embarrassment to the sufferer and degrading his quality of life.

Psoriasis, which affects 1.5-2% of the population in the Western world, is an inherited skin disease with a variety of clinical manifestations. The most common type is common psoriasis, which manifests itself with chronic recurrent lesions located in characteristic areas of the body.

The clinical picture varies from just a few lesions to a generalized skin lesion. Heredity plays a very important role in the development of psoriasis. When one parent has psoriasis, 8% of children develop psoriasis, while when both parents have psoriasis, 41% develops psoriasis. The distribution and extent of the lesions vary from a single lesion or lesions located in a single area (eg scalp, nails) to generalized (whole skin).

There is usually a bilateral, symmetrical attack. He prefers elbows, knees, scalp and folds. The facial area is rarely affected and when this happens, it is usually associated with a treatment-resistant type of psoriasis.

Psoriasis, in addition to the skin, also affects the joints and causes psoriatic arthritis. It is characterized by asymmetrical infiltration of the peripheral joints of the limbs, and especially of the small joints.

In addition to the common psoriasis, another type of psoriasis is rash psoriasis (42% of all cases of psoriasis), in which numerous lesions occur relatively abruptly in young adults, often (but not always) following a streptococcal pharyngitis.

Palpation and palpation of the palms and soles is another type of psoriasis in which a chronic recurrent rash appears that is limited to the palms and soles.

Finally, patients with possible psoriasis should visit a dermatologist to make the diagnosis and select the best possible treatment. It should also be noted that in all types of psoriasis, new lesions can be caused by "normal" skin types through natural injury.

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