Question

Write 2-3 paragraphs about a skin condition of your choice from Chapter 31 in the Kinn’s MA book. The information you provide should include the following:

Definition of the disease/condition

Signs and symptoms

Treatment

Answer 1

Psoriasis :

The word psoriasis is derive from greek word 'psora ' means itching .

Definition :

It is a chronic non infectious inflammatory skin disease in which epidermal cells are produced at a rate that is about Six to nine times faster than normal.

The cells in the basal layer of skin divide too quickly and the newly formed cells move so rapidly to skin surface that they become evident as profuse scales or plaques of epidermal tissue .

Causes :

• Some of the factors msg trigger psoriasis are _
• Genetic
• Autoimmune reaction
• Infection.
• Injury to skin .
• Changes in climate
• Medications
• Stress
• Obesity
• Smoking.

Signs and symptoms :

• Red spots on the body.
• dry ,swollen and inflammed patches.
• Patches covered with silver white flakes.
• Raised and thick skin.
• Other symptpms such as pain, itching ,burning sensation.
• Dandruff on scalp .
• Cracked and bleeding skin.
• Pus filled blisters.
• Genital lesions in males etc

Diagnostic investigations :

History collection

Physical examination.

Skin biopsy.

Blood and radiography was done to rule out psoriatic arthritis

ESR ,C reactive protein .

Management :

• Topical therapy _oils or coal tar can be added to bath water and soft brush .
• After bathing ,the application of emollient creams containing alphahydroxy acids or salicylic acid .
• Occlusive dressings .

Intralesional therapy : triamcinolone acetonide is injected and care is taken so that normal skin is not injected .

Systemic therapy : methotrexate have been used in treating extensive psoriasis .

Oral retinoids .

Photochemotherapy :

A treatment for severly debilitating psoriasis

Psoralen and ultraviolat A therapy which involves taking a photosensitizing drug 8_ methoxy psoralen .