Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin which form scales.
On brown, black and white skin the patches can look pink or red, and the scales white or silvery. On brown and black skin, the patches can also look purple or dark brown, and the scales may look grey. It is important to be aware of these different presentations to make the right diagnoses
These patches normally appear on the extensor surfaces e.g. your elbows, knees, scalp, umbilicus and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body. Sometimes it can affect the folds of skin e.g. around the groin, buttock or axilla so-called flexural psoriasis. Sometimes only the hands and feet are involved, so presentations of psoriasis may vary.
Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore, although usually psoriasis is notable for its lack of itch.
Psoriasis affects around 2 in 100 people in the UK. It can start at any age, but most often develops in adults between 20 and 30 years old and between 50 and 60 years old. It affects men and women equally.
The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some it’s just a minor irritation, but for others it can have a big impact on their quality of life.
Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe.
At Tarrant Street clinic, we are very careful to take a history and examine our patients thoroughly to aid assessment for both diagnosis and treatment.
We are aware of the potential triggers for psoriasis, and the systemic complications that may accompany this diagnosis e.g. metabolic syndrome, rheumatological complications etc. We will take a holistic approach to this condition making sure we address the systemic and psychological impact as well as that of the skin. We will also explore how we can look carefully at the impact of diet, stress, exercise as well as prescription treatments and skin care to maximise the impact of any treatment modalities.
