Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, caused by an excessively rapid multiplication of skin cells. It affects more than 1,2 million people in Spain. Do you know what the symptoms of psoriasis are so you can recognize them?
The excessive growth of skin cells gives rise to highly recognizable lesions such as red erythematous plaques covered by white scales, mainly on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. But these are not the only symptoms with notable consequences in the daily life of those who suffer from it.
How to recognize the disease: symptoms of psoriasis
In psoriasis there is an alteration of the function of epidermal cells, especially of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which in turn causes alterations in the skin that can manifest themselves in different ways.
Depending on the degree of these manifestations (erythema and scales) and their extension, psoriasis can be evaluated as mild, moderate and severe. And it is that this disease attacks many people differently and to different degrees.
However, if we were to name the general signs of this disease, the most common globally to help you recognize it, in addition to erythema and scales we should name others. These would be the most repeated:
- reddish skin plates covered with thick, silvery scales.
- Small scaled dots.
- Dry and cracked skin which may bleed or itch.
- Itching, burning or irritation.
- thickened nails, pitted or ribbed.
- swollen joints and rigid.
Although the physical manifestations are tremendously striking, we cannot forget that this is a inflammatory disease and therefore, its consequences will extend beyond what is seen at first sight.
Consequences
Early detection and adequate treatment of this disease is very important to prevent its evolution to more acute phases and avoid serious consequences. And it is that this disease has so much physical and mental consequences in those who suffer from it and not all are so evident.
If we talk about the most important consequences and those suffered by a large part of those who have psoriasis, we cannot forget the following:
- Rejection. Many people mistakenly believe that psoriasis can be contagious and this causes great suffering in people who suffer from it, which commonly leads them to limit their personal, social and work activity.
- insecurity and lack of Self esteem. The skin plays a very important role in the image of a person. For this reason, the skin lesions of psoriasis often cause insecurity and even loss of body image.
- Fragility. Being a chronic disease, many patients develop a feeling of fragility that limits their lives. They feel that they will no longer be able to carry out some of the projects they have in mind.
- Mental health problems. The aforementioned rejection, insecurity and/or fragility affect mental health often in a profound way.
- Problems in other organs of the body. This inflammatory disease can cause other associated diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. For this reason, medical follow-up is necessary in all cases.
- Loss of quality of life. The physical limitations that the disease and associated health problems can cause have a negative influence on the quality of life of the affected person.
So…
Today there is still a great lack of knowledge and a great misinformation about psoriasis that plays against those affected by this disease. In addition to the physical consequences of the disease, patients must deal with stares and social rejection, which makes everyday life more difficult.
Our advice, therefore, is that in addition to being in contact with your doctor in order to receive the best treatment and thus alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis, seek professional help to deal with the mental part if you feel that your social or professional life is being affected and limited.