Psoriasis And Your Body Parts
Psoriasis can affect skin anywhere on your body. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It plays a very important role in the health of the body. When psoriasis covers large areas of skin, it can lead to infection, fluid loss and also poor blood flow.
Scalp Psoriasis:
Scalp psoriasis is very common. Over half of all people who have psoriasis, have it on the scalp. When the skin cells of the scalp grow to rapidly they form lesions that are covered in scale. Scalp psoriasis can be mild with only slight scaling or it can be very thick, severe and with crusted plaques covering the entire scalp. Severe psoriasis of the scalp leads to hair loss. Scalp psoriasis can extend from the hairline and onto the forehead, back of neck and even around the ears. If the individual has scalp psoriasis they can have psoriasis on other body parts or they may just have in on the scalp.
Scalp psoriasis can clear on its own, called spontaneous remission. It can also stay on the scalp for a long time. Treatments depend on the severity of the condition, your lifestyle, time and finances. There are topical treatments like tar products and salicylic acid which work well for mild scalp psoriasis, ultraviolet (UV) light and also systemic (oral or injectible) treatments.
Nail Psoriasis:
Individuals who have nail psoriasis usually also have skin psoriasis. A low number of individuals with nail psoriasis do not have skin psoriasis (5%).
Symptoms of nail psoriasis - clear yellow-red nails that look like a drop of blood or oil under the nail plate, little pits in your nails, lines going across the nails from side to side, areas of white on your nail plate and also thickening of your skin under the nail.
You may also see loosening of the nail, crumbling of the nail or tiny black lines in the nail from tip-to-cuticle. Individuals with nail psoriasis may have arthritic fingers or toes with these nail changes.
At the present time there is no cure for nail psoriasis. If there is a fungal infection of the nails, the doctor will prescribe antifungal medication.
Skin Psoriasis:
The most commonly seen psoriasis is that of the skin. Anywhere on the body where there is skin, psoriasis can appear such as the face, neck, ears, scalp, elbows, knees, feet, hands, in between fingers, toes and genitals. Treatment varies depending on severity, lifestyle and cost. The least costly will be explored first such as topical creams, lotions and ointments and then phototherapy; systemic medications including biologic medications will be added to the treatment plan if other methods fail to control the psoriasis.
