With the rapid development of society, the incidence of psoriasis is also showing an annual upward trend. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by the repeated appearance of multiple layers of white, dry scales on erythematous plaques. Psoriasis, commonly known as "white scurf" or "silver scurf", is a very common skin disease that was also referred to in ancient medical literature as "pine bark eczema". In Western medicine, this condition is called psoriasis (Psoriasis), commonly referred to as "scaly dermatitis". It is a common recurring and inflammatory skin disease. Its characteristics include the appearance of papules and erythematous plaques of varying sizes, covered with white scales, with clear boundaries, most commonly occurring on the scalp, extensor sides of the limbs, and back. It is more prevalent in men than in women. The condition tends to recur or worsen during spring and winter, while it often relieves in summer and autumn. Psoriasis affects a wide range of people, and due to its obvious skin damage symptoms and its difficult-to-treat recurrent nature, it often brings great physical suffering and economic burden to patients. So, how should people distinguish psoriasis?
Experts from the Dermatology Department of Beijing Red Cross Donghua Hospital point out that clinically, psoriasis primarily manifests as erythematous plaques and scales, which can occur on any part of the body, especially commonly on the scalp, trunk, and extensor sides of the limbs. At the onset, it appears as red papules or papulovesicles, with distinct infiltration at the base, gradually expanding and fusing into patches or plaques with irregular shapes. Some may appear map-like or island-like, some have smaller and numerous lesions with a starry sky appearance, covered with thicker white scales that are loose and easy to peel off. Gently scraping off the scales reveals a thin translucent red film, and removing this film exposes small bleeding points, sometimes referred to as the "blood dew phenomenon." These are the basic clinical symptoms of plaque psoriasis. Moreover, if not treated promptly or improperly managed, psoriasis can deteriorate into more severe types, such as generalized pustular eruptions, erythroderma, and joint involvement, which can even endanger the patient's life in severe cases. Therefore, it must be taken seriously, and scientific treatment should be pursued. These skin symptoms of psoriasis share certain similarities with other common skin conditions, so attention should be paid to distinguishing them. For example, seborrheic dermatitis is similar to scalp psoriasis, with skin lesions tending to be brown or light red plaques but with unclear borders, hair not being bundled or clustered, and having greasy scales; whereas pityriasis rosea presents as majority oval-shaped orange-red small plaques arranged along the skin lines, with fine and thin scales, and lesions mainly occurring on the trunk and proximal parts of the limbs; and lichen spinulosus has follicular keratotic papules as its primary lesion, often appearing red early on with dry skin, covered with bran-like scales that are hard to peel off. When these conditions appear on the patient’s body, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.
Experts from the Dermatology Department of Beijing Red Cross Donghua Hospital remind patients that distinguishing psoriasis is also important. If you find yourself experiencing some of the above-mentioned psoriasis symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly for early detection and treatment. This will help you get rid of the troubles caused by psoriasis sooner.