Symptoms:

Typical symptoms of psoriasis are sharply defined, reddened areas of skin covered with silvery scales. The affected areas may itch or hurt and are often sensitive to touch. The scales may also bleed when scraped.

Localization:

Psoriasis can occur on various parts of the body, including the scalp, face, elbows, knees, feet and hands, as well as on the genitals and around the anus. Nails may also be affected.

Classification:

Psoriasis is divided into different types, depending on where it occurs and what it looks like. The most common type is plaque psoriasis, which accounts for about 80 to 90 percent of cases. Other types include guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and erythroderma.

Staging:

Psoriasis is classified into different stages, depending on the severity of the disease. The classification ranges from mild forms that affect only a few areas to severe forms that cover large parts of the body and may be associated with a significant reduction in quality of life.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually made by clinical examination of the skin lesions by a dermatologist. In some cases, a biopsy may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Therapy:

The treatment of psoriasis aims to relieve symptoms, control the course of the disease and treat possible concomitant diseases. Several therapeutic options are available for this purpose, including topical treatments such as creams and ointments, light therapies, systemic therapies, and biologic therapies.

Course:

The course of psoriasis is usually chronic and not curable. However, symptoms may occur in episodes and worsen or improve over time. In some cases, concomitant diseases may occur, such as joint inflammation or cardiovascular disease.

Prognosis:

The prognosis of psoriasis depends on various factors, including the severity of the disease, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases. However, with early diagnosis and adequate therapy, symptoms can be significantly improved.

Incidence:

Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects approximately 2 to 3 percent of the population worldwide. The condition can occur at any age, but is most common between the ages of 15 and 35.

Risk factors:

Risk factors for developing psoriasis include genetic predisposition, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and certain medications. Infections and injuries to the skin may also play a role.

Pathogenesis:

The exact causes of psoriasis are not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that an overreaction of the immune system to certain trigger factors such as infections, stress or injuries to the skin plays a role. This accelerates cell division in the skin and leads to an inflammatory reaction that causes the typical skin changes.

healthy lifestyle can therefore help reduce the risk of developing psoriasis.

Similar diseases:

There are some conditions that may have similar symptoms to psoriasis, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or eczema. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is important to ensure adequate therapy.