Psoriasis Uncovered: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Homeopathic Treatments

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease characterized by red, scaly, well-defined plaques due to rapid skin cell turnover.

Mnemonic: "P.S.O.R.I.A.S.I.S. = Persistent Scaly Outbreaks Resembling Inflamed Autoimmune Skin Itch Spots"

CAUSES & PATHOGENESIS OF PSORIASIS

• Genetic Factors (Runs in Families – HLA-Cw6 Association).
• Autoimmune Reaction (T-Cell Mediated Inflammation).
• Triggering Factors:

                -Trauma (Koebner’s Phenomenon – New Lesions Appear at Injury Sites).
                -Infections (Streptococcal Throat Infection → Guttate Psoriasis).
                -Drugs (Beta-blockers, NSAIDs, Lithium, Steroid Withdrawal).
                -Stress, Alcohol, Smoking, Obesity.

Mnemonic: "G.A.T.I.D.S." (Genetics, Autoimmune, Trauma, Infections, Drugs, Stress)

TYPES OF PSORIASIS

1. Plaque Psoriasis (Most Common – Red, Scaly, Well-Defined Plaques).
2. Guttate Psoriasis (Small Drop-Like Lesions, Post-Strep Infection).
3. Pustular Psoriasis (Sterile Pustules on Red Skin – Can Be Life-Threatening).
4. Erythrodermic Psoriasis (Severe, Generalized Redness & Scaling of Entire Skin).
5. Inverse Psoriasis (Affects Skin Folds – Armpits, Groin, Under Breasts).
6. Palmoplantar Psoriasis (Affects Palms & Soles – Thick, Cracked Skin).

Mnemonic: "P.G.P.E.I.P." (Plaque, Guttate, Pustular, Erythrodermic, Inverse, Palmoplantar)

CLINICAL FEATURES OF PSORIASIS

1. Red, Well-Defined, Dry, Scaly Plaques (Silvery-White Scales).
2. Most Common Sites → Scalp, Elbows, Knees, Lower Back.
3. Nail Involvement → Pitting, Onycholysis (Nail Separation), Subungual Hyperkeratosis.
4. Auspitz Sign (Pinpoint Bleeding on Scraping).
5. Koebner’s Phenomenon (New Lesions at Trauma Sites).

Mnemonic: "S.K.A.N." (Scales, Koebner’s, Auspitz, Nails Involved)

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PSORIASIS

• Eczema (More Itchy, Oozing, Poorly Defined Borders).
• Tinea Corporis (Fungal Infection, Central Clearing, Raised Border).
• Seborrheic Dermatitis (Scaly Patches on Scalp, Greasy Appearance).
• Pityriasis Rosea (Herald Patch & Christmas Tree Pattern).

Mnemonic: "E.T.S.P." (Eczema, Tinea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Pityriasis Rosea)

DIAGNOSIS OF PSORIASIS

• Clinical Examination (Scaly, Well-Defined Plaques).
• Auspitz Sign (Pinpoint Bleeding on Scraping).
• Skin Biopsy (Parakeratosis, Munro Microabscesses, Spongiform Pustules of Kogoj).
• Wood’s Lamp Test (Helps Differentiate from Fungal Infections).

Mnemonic: "C.A.S.W." (Clinical, Auspitz, Skin Biopsy, Wood’s Lamp)

TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

1. TOPICAL TREATMENT (Mild Cases)

• Emollients & Moisturizers (Reduce Dryness & Scaling).
• Topical Steroids (Clobetasol – Reduces Inflammation).
• Vitamin D Analogues (Calcipotriol – Slows Cell Turnover).
• Coal Tar & Salicylic Acid (Reduce Scaling).

Mnemonic: "S.V.C.T." (Steroids, Vitamin D, Coal Tar, Topical Moisturizers)

2. SYSTEMIC TREATMENT (Moderate to Severe Cases)

• Methotrexate (Immunosuppressant – Reduces Skin Cell Growth).
• Cyclosporine (For Severe Psoriasis).
• Retinoids (Acitretin – Vitamin A Derivative).
• Biologics (TNF Inhibitors – Adalimumab, Infliximab, Etanercept).

Mnemonic: "M.C.R.B." (Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, Retinoids, Biologics)

3. PHOTOTHERAPY (For Resistant Cases)

• Narrowband UVB (Gold Standard for Moderate Psoriasis).
• PUVA (Psoralen + UVA – Used for Severe Cases).

Mnemonic: "N.P." (Narrowband UVB, PUVA)

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

• Inflammatory Joint Disease Associated with Psoriasis.
• Commonly Affects Distal Interphalangeal (DIP) Joints of Fingers & Toes.
• Types of Psoriatic Arthritis:

                -Oligoarticular (Most Common – Few Joints Affected).
                -Arthritis Mutilans (Severe Form – Bone Resorption).
                -Spondylitis (Affects Spine & Sacroiliac Joints).

• Negative Rheumatoid Factor (Unlike Rheumatoid Arthritis).

Mnemonic: "D.O.A.S." (DIP Joints, Oligoarticular, Arthritis Mutilans, Spondylitis)

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS

• For Dry, Scaly, Thickened Skin:
• Arsenicum Album, Sulphur, Graphites, Lycopodium.

• For Itchy, Burning Skin:
• Mezereum, Petroleum, Rhus Tox, Natrum Mur.

• For Psoriatic Arthritis:
• Calcarea Carb, Bryonia, Ledum Pal, Rhododendron.

Mnemonic: "A.S.G.L." (Arsenicum, Sulphur, Graphites, Lycopodium for Dry Psoriasis)

FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS

• Definition = "P.S.O.R.I.A.S.I.S. = Persistent Scaly Outbreaks Resembling Inflamed Autoimmune Skin Itch Spots"
• Causes = "G.A.T.I.D.S." (Genetics, Autoimmune, Trauma, Infections, Drugs, Stress)
• Types = "P.G.P.E.I.P." (Plaque, Guttate, Pustular, Erythrodermic, Inverse, Palmoplantar)
• Clinical Features = "S.K.A.N." (Scales, Koebner’s, Auspitz, Nails Involved)
• Differential = "E.T.S.P." (Eczema, Tinea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Pityriasis Rosea)
• Diagnosis = "C.A.S.W." (Clinical, Auspitz, Skin Biopsy, Wood’s Lamp)
• Treatment = "S.V.C.T." (Steroids, Vitamin D, Coal Tar, Topical Moisturizers)
• Systemic Treatment = "M.C.R.B." (Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, Retinoids, Biologics)
• Phototherapy = "N.P." (Narrowband UVB, PUVA)
• Psoriatic Arthritis = "D.O.A.S." (DIP Joints, Oligoarticular, Arthritis Mutilans, Spondylitis)
• Homeopathy = "A.S.G.L." (Arsenicum, Sulphur, Graphites, Lycopodium for Dry Psoriasis)

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