The Skin Is The Biggest Organ Of The Body There Are Many Dis
The Skin Is The Biggest Organ Of The Body There Are Many Diseases Or
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, serving as a protective barrier against environmental hazards, regulating temperature, and providing sensory input. Among various skin diseases, psoriasis is a common chronic autoimmune condition characterized by rapid skin cell proliferation leading to thickened, scaly patches on the skin.
1. Word 2. Prefix and or suffix meanings
Psoriasis derives from the Greek word "psora," meaning "itch" or "scaly," and the suffix "-iasis," which indicates a pathological condition. The prefix “psora” highlights the itchy nature of the disease, while the suffix suggests a disease or abnormality.
2. The disease: Psoriasis
What Are the Symptoms?
Psoriasis typically presents as erythematous, well-demarcated plaques covered with silvery-white scales. Common symptoms include itching, burning, and soreness. The plaques often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back but can develop anywhere on the skin. In some cases, it leads to painful fissures and may cause nail changes such as pitting or discoloration.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis primarily involves a thorough physical examination by a dermatologist, observing the characteristic skin lesions. A skin biopsy may be performed to differentiate psoriasis from other skin conditions, revealing hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and characteristic histopathology features.
How Does It Affect the Body?
While psoriasis mainly affects the skin, it is also associated with systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. The immune dysregulation underlying psoriasis can contribute to these associated conditions, impacting overall health and quality of life.
What Does It Look Like?
The disease manifests as raised, inflamed red plaques with a silvery scale. These plaques can vary in size and shape and sometimes coalesce to form larger patches. When on the scalp, it may resemble dandruff but with thicker, scaly patches. Nail involvement results in pitting or onycholysis, where the nail separates from the nail bed.
How Is It Treated?
Management of psoriasis includes topical treatments such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcipotriol), coal tar, and moisturizers. Phototherapy, which exposes affected skin to natural or artificial ultraviolet light, is often effective for moderate to severe cases. Systemic medications like methotrexate, cyclosporine, or newer biologics (e.g., adalimumab, secukinumab) target immune pathways involved in the disease. These medications can significantly improve symptoms and reduce disease severity.
Is It Life-Threatening?
While psoriasis is not directly life-threatening, severe or extensive cases, especially pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis, can cause serious health complications such as fluid loss, infection risk, and cardiovascular issues. The systemic inflammation associated with psoriasis elevates the risk of comorbid conditions, which can be life-threatening if unmanaged.
How Do People Contract the Disease?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder influenced by genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers such as stress, infections, skin injury, certain medications, and lifestyle factors. It is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Additional Information
Psoriasis has a profound psychosocial impact, often leading to embarrassment, social withdrawal, and depression. Emerging research emphasizes the importance of holistic management, including psychological support and lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and weight management. The development of biologic therapies has revolutionized treatment options, providing targeted control of immune pathways involved in disease pathology. Ongoing studies continue to deepen our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors contributing to psoriasis, aiming for personalized and more effective treatment strategies.
References
- Menter, A., et al. (2019). The 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines of Care for the management of psoriasis with biologics. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80(3), 775-796.
- Parisi, R., et al. (2013). Global epidemiology of psoriasis: A systematic review. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 133(2), 377-385.
- Ghoreschi, K., et al. (2017). Targeting the IL-17/IL-23 axis in psoriasis management. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 127(7), 2589-2602.
- Nestle, F. O., et al. (2009). Psoriasis. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(5), 496-509.
- Reich, K., et al. (2020). Long-term safety and efficacy of biologic therapies for psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology, 183(1), 44-60.
- Kim, J., et al. (2017). The immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1433(1), 13-23.
- Öztürk, M. (2021). Systemic inflammation in psoriasis and its implications. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 14, 47-60.
- Lebwohl, M., et al. (2020). Psoriasis clinical features and management. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(2), 293-308.
- Rachakonda, T. D., et al. (2014). Psoriasis prevalence among the world's population. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 28(8), 993-1000.
- Gottlieb, A. B., & Chao, C. (2016). The role of biologic therapies in psoriasis management. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 75(2), 255-262.