Expert Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Psoriasis

In this article, highly acclaimed dermatologists provide expert answers to some frequently asked questions on psoriasis to help people thoroughly understand it and seek a dermatologist's attention when required. It also discusses the latest psoriasis treatment in Bangalore, provided by dermatologists, that can help people achieve healthy skin.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic skin disease, typically characterised by raised, discolored, scaly skin surface due to the build-up of skin cells.

How to Know If I Have Psoriasis?

Psoriasis becomes apparent in various forms, either multiple forms at a time or more than one form in a lifetime. Each type of psoriasis has slightly different signs and can show up at other body sites. Here are the most common types:

1. Plaque Psoriasis- 80% of people affected with psoriasis have this type. Its characteristic sign is plaque- the raised patches of inflamed, red, itchy skin with silvery-white scales. It can affect any part of the body, but mostly it's seen on the skin of the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, and around or in the navel.
2. Guttate Psoriasis- It affects roughly 8% of people with psoriasis. It is caused by inflammation after a strep throat infection, featuring small, red, drop-shaped spots. Often, it affects the legs, torso, and arms.
3. Pustular Psoriasis- It affects only 3% of people with psoriasis. It’s the pus-filled, white, painful bumps with red/discolored, inflamed surrounding skin that show up on specific areas like hands or feet or all over the body.
4. Inverse Psoriasis- Around half a quarter of people with psoriasis have this type. Signs include deep red or darkened, inflamed, smooth skin in the body folds, like buttocks, underarms, under breasts, and the genital area.
5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis- It’s the rarest, life-threatening type, seen in only 2% of the affected population. It features extreme redness/discoloration, or shedding of skin layers in large sheets, with or without bleeding, nearly affecting the entire body. Other signs include extreme pain and itching, heart rate changes, and changes in hydration, temperature, and nail. 

Other forms include:

• Scalp psoriasis- It’s the plaque psoriasis affecting only the scalp.
• Sebo-psoriasis- It’s the psoriasis that happens with seborrheic dermatitis, featuring yellow, greasy scales on oily areas of the face and scalp.
• Nail psoriasis- It’s seen only on the toenails and fingernails when the nails turn ridged, thick, or pitted.
• Psoriatic arthritis- It’s the swollen, painful, and stiff joints that develop itchy, red, and inflamed skin.
• Napkin psoriasis- It’s the red, inflamed skin seen only in people wearing diapers for a prolonged time.

Many psoriasis signs overlap with the signs of other skin conditions, and so most people have an incorrect presumption of having psoriasis. Therefore, it’s recommended to have a detailed clinical evaluation of the affected skin by a skin doctor to confirm psoriasis and its type.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis research is ongoing, and no definite cause of this condition has been identified. Experts consider psoriasis to be an autoimmune condition and likely to be the result of genetic susceptibility.

What Triggers Psoriasis Flare-Ups?

The common triggers are excessive emotional or physical stress, certain medications, alcohol and tobacco intake, skin injuries, and bacterial infections like strep throat.

Is Psoriasis Serious or Contagious?

Psoriasis isn’t contagious. The rare forms of psoriasis, like generalised pustular psoriasis or erythrodermic psoriasis, can be serious or life-threatening. Not getting psoriasis treated in such cases, as well as psoriatic arthritis, can cause other health risks.

Which Psoriasis Treatment is the Best?

There is no fixed treatment known to be the “best”. A dermatologist can only determine the most effective psoriasis treatment based on the psoriasis severity/symptoms and affected area, and the patient’s response.

The treatment options are:

1. Topicals like Vitamin D analogues, retinoids, corticosteroids, coal tar, and even PDE-4 inhibitors and AHR modulators- to relieve inflammation and redness (for mild to moderate cases)
2. Phototherapy/ narrowband UVB or PUVA light therapy- to delay skin cell growth and reduce inflammation
3. Biologics and other systemic medications- to reduce overgrowth of the skin cells (in moderate to severe cases).

Can Psoriasis Be Put into Long-Term Remission by Any Treatment?

Such treatments that could potentially cure psoriasis have still not been found. But clinical trials on certain novel biologics reveal nearly complete clearance of psoriasis-affected skin.

Where Can I Get a Support Network with Others Having Psoriasis?

There are many organizations and foundations, like the National Psoriasis Foundation, International Psoriasis Council, and others, that provide social support to patients living with psoriasis and even more medical information on their condition.

If you suspect psoriasis and are seeking confirmed clinical identification or looking for the best psoriasis treatment, consult with Dr. Rasya Dixit, best general and cosmetic dermatologist in Bangalore. She specializes in all types of psoriasis treatment and helps her patients achieve the best results. Visit for details.