- Every October 29, different activities are carried out around the world as part of the World Day of this disease.
Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, non-communicable, inflammatory condition that, without adequate treatment, significantly affects quality of life. It manifests itself as red plaques with white, dry scales, mainly on the elbows, knees, trunk and scalp, causing itching and sometimes pain.
Although it is more recognized for its skin manifestation, it has repercussions on the immune system and various areas of the body. It can occur in any individual, regardless of gender or age. Psoriasis is a universally distributed pathology that affects between 1% and 3% of the population, according to estimates from official studies.
Although there is no predominance of sex – it affects men and women equally – it is more common in the white race. It usually appears between the ages of 15 and 35, although it can also affect children and older people.
There are several types of psoriasis:
- Psoriasis vulgaris (plaque). It is the most frequent. 90% of affected adults have this variant, which is characterized by the presence of scaly, reddish plaques, very well defined.
- Guttate psoriasis. In general, it is very rare, but it is the most common form of presentation in children and adolescents (between 44% and 95% of child patients suffer from it).
- Erythrodermic psoriasis. It is characterized by the gradual or acute appearance of erythema or redness of the skin that affects more than 90% of the body surface.
- Pustular variants. They are variants of psoriasis in which pustules visible to the naked eye form (palmoplantar pustulosis, pustular acrodermatitis, generalized pustular psoriasis and gestational or pregnancy psoriasis). In addition to skin symptoms, psoriasis is accompanied by other conditions. It is estimated that 30% of people with psoriasis can develop psoriatic arthritis, causing pain, joint stiffness and inflammation in the fingers and toes, complicating movement. Because of this, this condition is called psoriatic disease, since it not only affects the skin, but also the joints. Patients with severe forms of the disease are at increased risk of cardiac events, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Education and knowledge collaborate with timely diagnosis and early treatment. This, added to its correct compliance, allows us to avoid serious complications, as well as better management of them. Today, control of the disease is possible because, although there is no cure, treatments have evolved significantly, allowing patients a better quality of life and the path to remission. It is important to empower patients through education because they must understand that they are protagonists of their treatment and improvement.