Psoriasis

A skin disease that causes red, itchy, or scaly patches, usually on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp, occurring in cycles of flare-ups that may last for weeks or months before subsiding. 

Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales, spots of scaling that are smaller (tend to see this in children), dry/cracked skin prone to bleeding, itching or burning skin, sore patches of skin, ridged/thicker nails, joint pain, plaques of varying sizes.

Having psoriasis makes individuals more susceptible to also developing psoriatic arthritis, eye conditions, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, other autoimmune diseases, depression, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease.

Recent research shows that inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) may lead to the development of psoriasis.

Cigarette smoking, overeating or metabolic disorder, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia (elevation of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), or both, or a low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, air pollution, drug use, and having a family history of psoriasis.
Additional environmental triggers may include infections or illnesses, dry/cold weather, skin injuries, stress, heavy alcohol consumption, medications, and fast withdrawal of oral/systemic corticosteroids.

• Psoriasis involving special areas is associated with worse quality of life, depression, and limitations in the ability to participate in social roles and activities (2023)
• Psoriasis and exercise: A review (2022)
• Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibition in psoriasis (2021)
• Predictors of biologic use and satisfaction among patients with psoriasis: An Analysis and geographic visualization of the 2016 and 2017 National Psoriasis Foundation Annual Surveys (2020)

Check out this great resource if you want to know about psoriasis and COVID-19.