5 types of psoriasis There are five types of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis being the most common. Becoming familiar with the various forms will help the skin care professional to determine the best treatment for his or her client. (About Psoriasis, 2019): ● Plaque psoriasis : The most common form of the disorder, plaque psoriasis appears as raised, red patches covered a white slivery buildup of dead skin cells. The raised, thickened plaques are itchy, painful, and often crack and bleed. It is essential to know how to identify and understand the various types because skin care professionals are more likely to meet this type in their skin care facilities. ● Guttate psoriasis : This form of psoriasis is the second most common type. It typically starts in childhood and causes small dot-like spots mainly on the torso and limbs. Triggers may be strep throat, tonsillitis, respiratory infection, stress, injury to the skin, and medications such as beta blockers and antimalarial drugs. ● Inverse psoriasis : This may show up as smooth, bright red shiny lesions on the folds of the skin, armpits, groin, behind the knees, and under the breast, and is frequently irritated by rubbing and sweating. This type of psoriasis can be treated with castederm, a liquid Professional treatments and modalities for psoriasis Sixty percent of people living with psoriasis state that this disease is a huge problem in their everyday lives. According to a U.S study, the quality of life of younger patients and women is greatly affected by psoriasis, resulting in physical, social, emotional, and economic consequences. Stressful conditions can make a client experience a flare-up, worsening their condition, resulting in them feeling self- conscious and ashamed. Applying therapeutic and relaxing techniques may lower stress and possibly ease psoriasis symptoms. The main psoriasis treatments used include phototherapy, systemic therapy, and topical therapy: ● Dead sea therapy : Bath time can be relaxing and beneficial in treating psoriasis. Using ingredients such as dead sea salt, epsom salt, and oatmeal in the bath can help soothe itching and remove psoriasis scales. Soaking times should be limited to 15 minutes, with skin being moisturized immediately afterward. ● OTC topicals : Over the counter topicals are applied directly to the skin and are available at the drugstore, with no prescription needed. Salicylic acid, a common, yet useful peeling agent that works by softening and removing the outer layer of skin, may be used to treat psoriasis. Coal tar, derived from both coal and wood, and is commonly used to treat psoriasis and may be found in some in creams, lotions, and shampoos. It is formulated to help slow growth of skin cells, reducing inflammation, scaling and itching. Also, OTC products such as camphor, calamine, menthol, hydrocortisone, and benzocaine may help relieve itching, but also can dry the skin. (Nordqvist, 2017). ● Light therapy : Several modes of light therapy have shown positive results on psoriatic skin. These UV/UVB therapy treatments, whose effects can last four to eight weeks, include laser, LED (blue antibacterial light) IPL treatments and natural sunlight. (Campbell, 2018). ● Non-steroidal prescription topicals : These medications applied to the skin are usually the first line of defense in treating psoriasis. These products slow down excessive cell growth, flatten lesions, remove scales and itching, and reduce inflammation.
treatment, used to dry out psoriasis lesions in folds of the body. ● Pustular psoriasis : This affects adults more than children and is characterized by white pustules, scaling and blisters, surrounded by red skin. It occurs typically on the hands and feet and is neither infectious nor contagious. ● Erythrodermic psoriasis : This is a severe form of psoriasis, identified by acute itching, pain, and excessive redness covering most of the body. The skin sheds off in large amounts. This form of psoriasis can be life- threatening and should be treated immediately. In the treatment room, a client’s treatment options will depend on how severe the condition is. Severity is usually based upon how much of a client’s body is affected by psoriasis. Psoriasis can be mild, moderate, and severe. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe. ● Mild psoriasis covers less than three percent of the body. ● Moderate psoriasis covers between three and ten percent of the body. ● Severe psoriasis covers more than 10 percent of the body. ● Topical steroids: These anti-inflammatory agents are used to control swelling and reduce redness of lesions. Topical steroids are derived from natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands; thus, this is the most frequently used psoriasis treatment. ● Aromatherapy : This is a complementary health approach that uses the essential oils from plants, flowers, herbs or trees. Examples are lavender, used for reducing inflammation and improving sleep; tea tree (antibacterial) and ylang-ylang (to enhance relaxation and de-stressing). (Wegrzyn, 2015). ● Biologics : These protein-based drugs derived from living cells cultured in a laboratory are administered by injection or intravenously and target specific parts of the immune system. Enbrel was one of the first biologics, introduced in 1998, and then approved for plaque psoriasis in 2004. (Goodless, 2012). ● Massage therapy : This involves the manipulation of muscles and connective tissue to enhance function, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. ● Reflexology : Like acupressure, reflexology involves applying pressure to target areas of the feet, hands, and ears, that relate to specific organs or muscle groups. This modality can help clients suffering from anxiety and depression to relax and may decrease pain and improve sleep. ● Counseling : If the client is feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed, suggest getting help from a mental health therapist. ● Acupressure : This technique developed in Asia 5000 years ago uses gentle pressure on the body’s key healing points to reduce pain, stress, and increase circulation. ● Reiki : This ancient energy healing therapy was introduced by a Japanese physician in the early 1900s. It involves a light, healing, sweeping touch to the client’s head or torso in a specific order to help smooth out energy blockages and to reduce pain, anxiety, and depression. It also may improve blood pressure and heart rate. (Saeed, 2017).
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