Psoriasis: Not just skin deep

Kim Kardashian West has never shied away from opening up about her psoriasis flare-ups, which she’s dealt with for the past 13 years. Now, the 38-year-old star has been revealing about her ordeal like never before with never-before-seen photos posted in her detailed blog on sister Kourtney Kardashian’s lifestyle site, Poosh.

In her blog, Kim admits that despite witnessing her mom, Kris Jenner, deal with her own psoriasis struggle, she truly had no idea what her life would be like as she dealt with an autoimmune disease.

For the uninitiated, psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, causes them to build up rapidly on the skin surface. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that are itchy and sometimes even painful. It can show up anywhere-on the eyelids, ears, mouth and lips, skin folds, hands and feetand nails.

What a flake!

Psoriasis often develops between 15 and 35 years, but it can develop at any age. The disease is associated with various other health conditions like metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, uveitis, cardiovascular disease, cancer and depression. While scientists do not know what exactly causes psoriasis, it’s known that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. “It is determined genetically. If a person in the family has psoriasis, there is an increased risk of getting psoriasis. Additionally, infections such as streptococcal respiratory infection can precipitate a type of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis. Smoking, stress and alcohol can also aggravate and increase the risk in people who are prone to the disease. A few medicines such as beta-blockers, antimalarial drugs and lithium can also aggravate psoriasis,” explains Dr Padmavathi Surapaneni, senior dermatologist and cosmetologist at Pragna Skin Laser Clinics. Dr Jaishree Sharad, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist and author of the book Skin Talks, calls psoriasis a multifactorial disease caused because of autoimmunity, genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

Types of psoriasis

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common form and appears as red raised plaques with thick silvery scales.

Guttate psoriasis small patches may occur on the trunk, hands and scalp.

Inverse psoriasis occurs in folds rather than on extensors as usual psoriasis.

Scalp psoriasis looks like very thick and dry scales only on the scalp.

Erythroderma where it involves whole body as red scales peeling from the entire body.

Pustular psoriasis looks like multiple pus filled bumps which does not contain any infection.

Nail psoriasis make the nails ridged or thickened.

Palmoplantar psoriasis affecting only soles and palms as thick hyperkeratotic plaques.

The Causes

Cold climate, smoking, alcohol, stress, trauma to the skin, infections especially streptococcal, staphylococcal, human immunodeficiency virus and drugs such as lithium, anti-malarial, beta blockers can trigger psoriasis. Autoimmunity, genetic predisposition and environmental factors can also cause psoriasis.

Treatment & diagnosis

Unfortunately, there are no special blood tests or tools to diagnose the disease. However, according to Dr Padmavathi, biopsy is the confirmative test, and dermoscope — an instrument used by dermatologists — will help in minute detailing and diagnosing it.

Dr G. Manmohan, senior consultant dermatologist, Apollo Hospitals, tells us that the diagnosis of psoriasis, which is mostly a life-long disease with periods of remissions and exacerbations, is usually clinical. “The use of topical creams orsystemic agents may be required depending on the severity of the disease. In milder forms, patients can just maintain on emollient creams although they might have to restart treatment if relapse happens,” he adds.

Psoriasis prevention

Lifestyle definitely improves psoriasis and reduces flare ups. The changes include weight reduction, alcohol abstinence, smoking cessation, dietary modification, exercise, meditation.