2/18 Psoriasis (Papulosquamous Disease) Flashcards
What are some of the features and physical findings of psoriasis?
Features: ham-colored plaques with loosely adherent silvery scales; present on extensor surfaces (knees, elbows, groin, scalp)
Physical findings
- well demarcated plaques and papules
- symmetrical distribution
- itchy, painful
- nails: **pitting
- Auspitz sign:**pinpoint bleeding that occurs when scales are removed; occurs due to dilated capillaries and thin epidermal layer over papillae
Where does psoriasis usually affect?
extensor surfaces (knees, elbows, groin, scalp)
What is Auspitz sign?
pinpoint bleeding that occurs when scales are removed; occurs due to dilated capillaries and thin epidermal layer over papillae
What is the immunological cause of Psoriasis?
What are some common cytokines involved in its pathogenesis?
T cell mediated disease
IL17, IL23 - there are now drug therapies that target these two cytokines
What are some triggers of Psoriasis?
Trauma
Friction
Changes in skin homeostasis (xs humidity, temp, UV)
Allergens (contact dermatitis)
Drugs
Infections
What is the usual onset of Psoriasis?
BIMODAL
late 20s and early 50s
What are the 4 variants of Psoriasis?
- Guttate - lots of dots all over the body; occurs in children; due to post-strep pharyngitis
- Pustular - localized on palm and soles
- Intertriginious (inverse psoriasis) - affects skin folds (axilla, gluteal cleft, post-auricular)
- Erythrodermic - total body redness
What type of psoriasis is this?
What causes it?
GUTTATE
- caused by strep pharyngitis - bacterial antigens acts as superantigens that cause T cell activation, resulting in lots of dots all over the body.
What type of psoriasis is this?
Where else would you find it?
PUSTULAR
occurs on palms and soles
What type of psoriasis is this?
Where are these normally located?
Inverse psoriasis “intertriginous”
affects areas where there are skin folds (overlapping skin):
- *- axilla
- gluteal cleft
- post-auricular
- butt
- penis**
What type of psoriasis is this?
What causes it?
ERYTHRODERMIC
total body redness; often presents with systemic symptoms
How do you treat psoriasis?
**Topicals Rx: **mild-moderate psoriasis
Phototherapy - moderate-severe psoriasis
Systemics - oral or injected Rx
What are the common causes of death in patients with psoriasis?
- CVD (34%)
- Infection (22%)
- Cancer (21%)
What are some of the topical therapies for psoriasis?
topical steroids
coal tar
UVB phototherapy
Anthraline
Vitamin D analogs (Calcipotriene, Calcipotriol)
Tazarotene (synthetic retinoid)
What are the side effects of using retinoids, such as Tazarotene?
liver toxicities
alopecia
dry skin
nail loss