Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Psoriasis

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.

Explanation:

• Psoriasis is a common, long-term chronic disease with no cure.
• It goes through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while or going into remission.
• Symptoms include: Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales, small scaling spots (commonly seen in children), dry and cracked skin that may bleed or itch, burning or soreness, thickened and pitted or ridged nails, swollen and stiff joints.
• Types of psoriasis include plaque psoriasis, nail psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis.
• Treatments include: corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid, coal tar, Goeckerman therapy, and anthralin.

Reference:

• Psoriasis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
• psoriasis images - Google Search