Plaque psoriasis is one of the most common types of psoriasis, amounting to 80% of all skin disorder cases. People who are suffering from this condition develop inflamed and red skin lesions that are usually covered in scaly and silvery skin. It can develop in different parts of the body but in general, it occurs on the elbows, the knees, scalp and lower back. It is considered as an immune system disorder, which can be hereditary.

Psoriasis has different types - nail psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and erythrodermic psoriasis. Signs and symptoms of psoriasis vary from one person to another and may include the following:

• The red patches on the skin are usually inflamed with silvery scales, which can be painful and itchy. There are cases wherein the red patches bleed and crack.
• The condition can also affect toenails and fingernails. Nail discoloration and pitting can also occur that can cause complete nail damage.
• Scalp psoriasis is red and itchy with silvery scales. You may notice flakes in your shoulders and hair after scratching the scalp.
• People who are less than thirty years old are usually prone to having guttate psoriasis. Common signs of this condition are small water sores on arms, scalp, legs and trunks.
• Inverse psoriasis usually affects the skin in the groin, armpits, around the genitals and under the breasts. Individuals who are overweight have higher risk of having inverse psoriasis that can be aggravated by sweating and friction.

Psoriasis can be distressing because it is not only painful and itchy but can also lessen one's self-confidence. Some people who have this condition are depressed and find it difficult in coping with their situation.

There are different treatments for plaque psoriasis and it is important to determine the severity of psoriasis you have in order to treat the condition effectively. The most common treatment are topical ointments and creams that include calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, vitamin D and topical retinoids. Most people use moisturizing products that can be purchased over the counter. Though these creams and lotions cannot get rid of the condition completely, they can help lessen the dryness and itching.

Oral medications are also recommended that should be combined with the use of ointments and creams. However, take note of the fact that some oral medications can cause serious side effects so they must be taken for a short period of time.

Another effective treatment option for plaque psoriasis is the use of ultraviolet light. You can easily treat your condition by exposing the affected area to sunlight regularly for short periods of time. Due to the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun, it is recommended to consult your doctor and ask about other ways to use sunlight therapy safely. There are other kinds of light therapy including photochemotherapy, UVB phototherapy and narrow-band UVB therapy.

Remember that there is no perfect cure for plaque psoriasis that can prevent it from recurring. Therefore, it is important to know the different precautions in order to lessen the severity of your condition and ease the irritation, pain and inflammation. There are different factors that cause the condition such as stress, smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. To be informed about various ways to treat psoriasis, it is best to do some research and visit www.preventpsoriasis.com to help you find the right solution.