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P
soriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin
characterised by a relapsing and remitting course. It manifests as pink,
scaly, raised lesions on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp along
with certain nail changes like pitting, discolouration, subungual
hyperkeratosis and onycholysis in about 25-50% of the cases. In 5-10% of patients,
the disease can be associated with joint involvement.
It is multifactorial in
aetiology, with genetic factors and environmental insults playing their
role. A positive family history is present in about one third of the patients;
when neither parents are affected the risk is about 7.5%, when one
parent is affected it is about 15% and when both parents affected, it is 50%.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
The following
factors may exacerbate the disease:
Psoriasis is not a
contagious disease
- Stress
- Trauma
- Infections
(Streptococcal upper respiratory tract infections)
- Medications (Lithium,
Antimalarials, Propranolol and other beta blockers,
NSAIDS, Terfenadine and steroid withdrawal)
- Winter season
Age
of onset is usually 16-22 years and 57-60 years. The lesions vary from a few to numerous
and when numerous, tend to be symmetrically distributed.
The skin shows
excessive cellular proliferation and inflammation.
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