OCALA, FL (352today.com) – According the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), psoriasis affects more than 3% of the U.S. adult population; that’s more than 7.5 million adults. To better understand the disease, we spoke with expert Dr. Jessin Blossom from Ocala Plastic Surgery & Dermatology about what causes this it and how it can be treated.

What is psoriasis?
“Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition resulting in raised reddish thick plaques with scale on the body. They can itch, burn or have no symptoms,” said Blossom. “It can affect any part of the skin from the scalp to the toes.”

Dr. Blossom says that psoriasis is a “systemic” disease. That means that the inflammatory process causing psoriasis can lead to inflammation and damage in every organ of the body. She adds that this can even result in erosive arthritis in the joints.

Different forms of psoriasis
Dr. Blossom explained that psoriasis comes in various forms, each characterized by the shape of the lesions and the body parts affected.  She says that plaque psoriasis is the most common.

The types include:

  • Plaque Psoriasis: These are large, red, flaky, or scaly plaques commonly found on extensor surfaces like knees, elbows, and backs.
  • Guttate Psoriasis: This type appears as a drop-like pattern, as if you were painted in the rain, and can cover the body.
  • Inverse Psoriasis: This affects the folds of the body.
  • Scalp and Nail Psoriasis: As the names suggest, these types are found on the scalp or nails.

Psoriasis and arthritis
The NPF reports that psoriatic arthritis affects nearly 30% of those with psoriasis. The organization says that it can start at any age and can even affect children. It can even affect those who have never been diagnosed with psoriasis.

Grammy Award winning singer LeAnn Rimes has been a vocal advocate pushing for funding to cure psoriasis. Rimes was diagnosed with the disease when she was 2 years old. She shared her struggles in 2020 by posing nude for a photo shoot for Glamour Magazine in honor of World Psoriasis Day.

Dr. Blossom describes psoriatic arthritis, or PsA, as an inflammatory, destructive, erosive process that commonly affects the fingers, sacroiliac joints, and Achilles tendons. It is believed that stressful events, trauma to the joints or bones or infections may trigger the disease in those who already have psoriasis.

Singing sensation LeAnn Rimes has been an advocate for funding to cure psoriasis. Courtesy: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Country music star LeAnn Rimes tried to hide her condition for years. Courtesy: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was 2 years old. Courtesy: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Psoriasis and other health conditions
Psoriasis doesn’t just affect your skin and joints, Dr. Blossom says that the inflammation driven by psoriasis can lead to several other serious health conditions. Among those, she lists heart disease, liver disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and it can worsen diabetes. She also says that it can affect mental health.

Recommended treatments
While psoriasis does not currently have a cure, Dr. Bosson says it can be managed. She says seeing a board-certified dermatologist is the best way to access biologic medications that help control immune-driven inflammation. There are also prescription topical medications that can help with small, localized areas.