The most common form is plaque-like psoriasis on the skin and characterized by redness, flaking and desquamation especially on the knee, elbow, dorsum and coccyx called as the sacrum. Psoriasis may exhibit different manifestations in children, adults and elders. While the only red flaking is the psoriatic symptoms in children, adult population experience all symptoms of the disease.
Skin symptoms are characterized by well-shaped, rosy patches covered with silvery plaque on the surface. This lesion is a dry formation, and characterized by areas of pint point bleeding when it is scraped. When you rub the skin with your hand, lesions will peel like dust. Small nail pitting can also appear, and the nail will be separated from nail fold. Thickened or broken nails can show up. Lesions can also occur in the inguinal region, axilla (armpit) and genital area.
Causes of Psoriasis
Though cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, it is considered that disease can occur as a result of an abnormality in the white blood cells. In researches, it is determined that immune system is stimulated by several causes (stress, medication, infection), and this process accelerates the growth of skin cells. Maturation of normal skin cells takes time nearly 28-30 days, but this period can drop to 3-4 days in psoriasis patients. Thus, proliferating cells accumulates on the surface and yields to a thick plaque.
During the disease process, following an inflammation, adesquamation phase occurs. Changes in skin metabolism ¬is a result of disease rather than being a cause. Risk for psoriasis development is increased in some conditions such as; injury, trauma, rheumatic fever, certain diseases with a microorganism ethology. In addition, cancer and immunosuppressant medications, used for the conditions such as; organ transplantation, yield also to an increased risk of psoriasis.
Psychological factors such as stress, tension, lack of love and the mother – child relationship disorders may ensure development or exacerbation of psoriasis. Additionally, hypocalcaemia and hormonal effects are considered to be influential for development of psoriasis.
