Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease of an inherited nature. About a third of people who have it have a family history. This disease is generally considered benign and is characterized by the appearance of red, scaly lesions located on the scalp, face, arms, elbows, knees, legs, hands, feet, and nails. This time, Dr. Carlos Sordo, dermatologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us more information about this disease.

Symptoms

The main symptoms and characteristics are:

• Presence of red, irritated and scaly skin patches of different sizes, symmetrically distributed
• Itchy plaques that can bleed when scratched

Causes and triggers

Psoriasis is a disease of genetic predisposition. This disease is related to an intense activity of the immune system triggered by T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells that help protect the body against infections) causing skin cells to grow at a faster rate than normal. the normal.

Triggers include:

• Stress
• The intake of certain medications
• Infections or associated diseases

Treatment

There are different treatments, such as:

• Topical treatment: consists of the application of moisturizing creams, keratolytic, shampoos and topical corticosteroids in the affected area
• Systemic treatment: it is related to immunomodulators, antibiotics or biological therapy, as the case may be

On the other hand, it is important that along with the treatment there is adequate emotional support, either from a psychologist or psychiatrist and, if necessary, from other specialties.

Complications

Among the most frequent complications are:

• Bacterial or fungal infections
• The emotional commitment of the patient
• Joint condition that can be severe and disabling, in some cases

Dr. Carlos Sordo
Dermatologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma