Psoriasis, an inflammatory disease of the skin

Psoriasis is caused by the accelerated renewal of epidermal cells . Redness and dander appear mainly on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. Psoriasis is a genetic disease, so inherited, often skipping a generation.

However, owning the different genes for psoriasis does not mean that the disease will be revealed. Some factors can help trigger it. Among them include taking certain medications , an infection or stress . This is why it is not uncommon for patients to enter a psoriasis crisis following a traumatic shock or during periods of high stress .

The different forms of psoriasis

The diagnosis of psoriasis is very often made wrong, especially when it touches the scalp. Itching and dandruff have, in most cases, nothing to do with psoriasis. It can also be confused with eczema.

In any case, nothing can replace the diagnosis of a dermatologist. Especially since there are several forms of psoriasis.

- Plaque psoriasis is the most common. The patients suffer from red patches covered with scales (elbows, knees, sacrum and scalp mainly) and itching.
- Inverted psoriasis appears between the folds of the skin (often between the gluteal folds) and not directly on the visible epidermis.
Pustular psoriasis generally affects the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It causes diffuse redness and leaves small pimples.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis is the most serious form of psoriasis but also one of the rarest. Dander affects more than 90% of the skin surface of patients who suffer from it.
- Finally, there is the psoriasis of swaddling that many young parents know and which affects baby babies. Redness and dander appear at the level of the buttocks. It usually marks a lot to watch for.

Discover all possible treatments for psoriasis in our dedicated article.

Thank you to Dr. Anne-Claire Fougerousse, dermatologist at Bégin Hospital Saint-Mandé and Dr. Philippe Deshayes, dermatologist and scientific consultant La Roche-Posay.