TL;DR:
- Psoriasis Prevalence: Chronic, non-infectious skin disease affecting 2–4% of the population at any age.
- Causes: Genetic, immunological, and environmental factors; not contagious. 30% familial occurrence, with inheritance risk rising if both parents are affected (up to 70%).
- Types:
- Type I: Onset before 40; family history common.
- Type II: Onset after 40; environmental triggers significant.
- Triggers: Infections, stress, UV exposure, hormonal changes, smoking, alcohol, HIV/AIDS.
- Symptoms: Red papules with silvery scales, symmetrical lesions on scalp, elbows, knees, nails, etc.
- Treatment: No cure; treatments manage symptoms via topical medications, carboxytherapy (improves circulation, reduces inflammation), or combined approaches.
- Carboxytherapy Details: Involves CO2 injection for skin normalization; contraindicated in pregnancy, severe organ disease, epilepsy.
- Consultation: Dermatologist diagnosis via clinical examination or biopsy.
Dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent and non-infectious ailment that affects roughly 2–4% of the population. It occurs at any age and in both sexes, and the development of lesions depends on genetic, immunological and environmental factors, among others.
What is skin psoriasis?
Psoriasis can progress with increased, mild epidermal proliferation, which, combined with the inflammation present, leads to skin lesions of varying severity (from small papular lesions to extensive plaque-like foci of psoriasis vulgaris or pustular psoriasis). A number of patients may face osteoarticular lesions that significantly impair quality of life and, in extreme cases, also cause irreversible disability.
What are the causes of psoriasis? Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases. It occurs in both females and males. It can accompany any age—from childhood to late adulthood. However, the highest incidence is during adolescence and between the ages of 50 and 60.
Dermatitis is a genetic disease. It has a familial occurrence in 30% of patients, and the inheritance is described as dominant with limited penetrance. The risk of contracting the disease in a healthy family is 1–2%, if one parent has the disease 10–20%. If both parents are affected, the risk of the disease increases to 50–70%.
Psoriasis, due to the way the disease progresses, is divided into two subtypes: Type I—the onset of the disease—occurs before the age of 40, and the peak incidence is between the ages of 18 and 22. Lesions often run in the family along with extensive skin lesions and infrequent recurrences. Type II—late onset—can be observed occurring after the age of 40, with a peak incidence after the age of 55. This type is characterized by a much rarer family history and a high impact of environmental triggers. In all forms of psoriasis, there are several factors that can initiate or aggravate the disease process and intensify subsequent relapses. Some of the most common factors include:
- Infections—acute and chronic streptococcal infections,
- Physical factors—vaccinations, burns, insect bites, tattooing, UV radiation,
- Chronic bacterial and fungal infections,
- Inflammatory dermatoses—hemiplegia, chicken pox, acne,
- Stress,
- Hormonal factors—menopause, puberty, pregnancy,
- Alcohol, cigarettes,
- HIV/AIDS.
Psoriasis can also coexist with other diseases. People with the condition have an increased incidence of cardiovascular dysfunction and metabolic disorders. nail psoriasis
Psoriasis – symptoms
The specific symptoms of psoriasis are red and reddish-brown papules of varying sizes, clearly demarcated from the surrounding skin, and are often covered with whitish-silver scales. When the lesions are scratched, the scales fall off and form thin flakes resembling scrapings from a candle. A shiny surface and bleeding then become visible. Psoriasis, depending on the size of the lesions, is divided into:
- Pustular psoriasis,
- Plaque psoriasis,
- Geographic psoriasis,
- Psoriatic Erythroderma.
Psoriasis lesions can occur on all areas of the body, but particularly characteristic areas affected by lesions are:
- Elbows and knees,
- Hands and feet,
- The lumbosacral region,
- Thorax,
- Hairy scalp,
- Skin folds,
- Nails.
- Psoriatic lesions usually have a symmetrical pattern.
How does psoriasis progress?
** Psoriasis is a disease that has a chronic and recurrent course**. There are also periods without symptoms characterized by varying duration. They alternate with periods of seeding of skin lesions—most often during spring and autumn. The two main types of psoriasis (ordinary psoriasis and pustular psoriasis) differ primarily in the location, course of the disease, and pattern of lesions. For other clinical varieties:
- Fine-needle psoriasis—usually occurs after a streptococcal infection in young people. The lesions are less than 1 cm in diameter and are symmetrically distributed on the skin all over the body,
- Plaque psoriasis—represents the most common form of the disease. Outbreaks appear all over the body and are several to several centimeters in diameter. The skin lesions are covered with scales, and others may coexist in the scalp and nails.
- Hand and foot psoriasis—mainly involves the palms and soles. The skin lesions are red in color with significant thickening of the epidermis.
- Inverted psoriasis—skin lesions are located in the skin folds, mainly around the external genitalia and anus. The erythematous lesions occur with slight exfoliation of the epidermis.
- **Psoriasis of the scalp**—erythematous lesions and redness take on different sizes. Lesions may progress beyond the hairline on the forehead and nape of the neck.
- Erythroderma psoriasis—a confluent dermatitis that occurs spontaneously or is caused by triggering factors. It is characterized by severe redness and infiltration of the skin all over the body.
- Nail psoriasis—lesions occur on the nails and often accompany skin lesions.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
Any disturbing skin lesions and inflammation should be consulted with a dermatologist. The specialist, based on the clinical signs—lesions and their location on the skin, can determine the correct diagnosis. In some cases, a biopsy is performed so that the slice is subjected to precise histopathological evaluation.
Psoriasis treatment
At the present time, there is no way to completely cure psoriasis. Treatment is under the close supervision of a dermatologist. In some patients, only topical action is sufficient, which consists of removing scales, reducing inflammation and reducing the proliferation of skin cells. Preparations are then used to reduce the scales and improve the penetration of other substances through the skin.
Application of carboxytherapy in the treatment of psoriasis
A method that works very well in the treatment of psoriasis is carboxytherapy. This is an innovative and effective treatment that uses the subcutaneous application of medical carbon dioxide through thin needles. **This treatment promotes improved circulation and oxygenation of the areas affected by psoriatic lesions, resulting in significant relief of inflammation and normalization of the skin. In psoriasis-affected skin, changes in the nature of calcium distribution and its high concentration in the subcutaneous layer of the epidermis are observed.
Carbon dioxide regulates intracellular calcium levels and reduces nucleotide abnormalities in fibroblasts of psoriasis-affected skin. Administration of carbon dioxide to psoriatic skin promotes a reduction in the length and width of capillaries, which are longer and wider in disease-affected tissues than in healthy ones. After CO2 therapy, a normal appearance of psoriasis-affected skin is observed. There are many indications in aesthetic medicine for the use of carboxytherapy, and assisting in the treatment of psoriasis is one of them. Medical carbon dioxide therapy is skin-friendly and has no toxic side effects. It is recommended to have at least 10 sessions at weekly intervals. ** Combined with traditional treatment, it is possible to observe an extended remission time of the disease and a shorter healing time of the initial lesions.
Of course, performing this procedure is not advisable in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is also not recommended to perform the procedure in people with acute heart and kidney failure, who are post-stroke, struggling with lung disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, pulmonary embolism, hemophilia.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is a complex, lifelong condition with varied symptoms and triggers. While there's no cure, effective management is possible through proper diagnosis, targeted treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. Emerging methods like carboxytherapy offer promising results, enhancing skin health and extending remission periods. Understanding your unique triggers and working with a dermatologist can make a significant difference. By staying informed and proactive, you can improve quality of life despite the challenges psoriasis brings.
