Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. This makes the skin build up into bumpy red patches covered with white scales. 

• Types:

• Plaque Psoriasis :

Plaque psoriasis causes raised, inflamed, red skin covered with silvery, white scales. These patches may itch and burn. 

• Guttate Psoriasis :

This type often starts in children or young adults. It causes small, pink-red spots on your skin. 

• Inverse Psoriasis :

Patches of skin turn bright red, smooth, and shiny, but don't have scales . It gets worse with sweating and rubbing

• Pustular Psoriasis

It causes pus-filled bumps (pustules) surrounded by red skin. These may look infectious, but are not.

• Erythrodermic Psoriasis

It affects most of the body and causes widespread, fiery skin that appears to be burned. It causes severe itching, burning, or peeling

• Nail Psoriasis:

Up to half of those with psoriasis have nail changes. It causes pits on the nails, Separation of the nail from the bed, Color changes (yellow-brown), Chalk-like material under your nails

• Psoriatic Arthritis :

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition where you have joint involvement.  It causes Painful, stiff joints that are worse in the morning and after rest, Sausage-like swelling of the fingers and toes, Warm joints that may be discoloured.

• Treatments :

• Topical treatments

Creams and ointments applied directly to the skin can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate psoriasis.

Topical psoriasis treatments include:

• topical corticosteroids
• topical retinoids

• anthralin

• vitamin D analogues
• salicylic acid
• moisturizer

 

• Systemic medications

People with moderate to severe psoriasis, and those who haven’t responded well to other treatment types, may need to use oral or injected medications.These medications include:

• Methotrexate
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

• biologics

• retinoids

 

• Light therapy:

This psoriasis treatment uses ultraviolet (UV) or natural light. Sunlight kills the overactive white blood cells that are attacking healthy skin cells and causing the rapid cell growth. Both UVA and UVB light may be helpful in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap.It occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles .

• Treatment:

a.     Topical agents :

• Minoxidil
• Anthralin

• Corticosteroid

• Topical immunotherapy 

b. Injections:

Steroid injections are a common option for mild, patchy alopecia to help hair grow back on bald spots. 

c. Oral treatments :

• Cortisonetablets
• Oral immunosuppressants

d.     Light therapy :

Light therapy is also called photochemotherapy or phototherapy. It’s a type of radiation treatment that uses a combination of an oral medication called psoralens and UV light.

 

A skin rash triggered by a reaction to food, medicine or other irritants. Symptoms include itchy, raised, red or skin-coloured welts on the skin's surface.

• UrticariaTriggers:

• Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
• Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen

• Insect stings or bites

• Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
• Latex
• Blood transfusions

• Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
• Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis

• Pollens and some plant particles

 

• Treatment :

 

• Antihistamines like cetirizine are given to reduce or stop an allergic reaction and control itching.
• Oral and /or topical steroid are given depending on the severity to reduce inflammation and control itching.

• Finding out the cause of urticaria is the most important part of treating urticaria without which there is no permanent treatment.

Wear non medicated corn pads, felt pads or bandages over areas that are under continuous friction against your footwear. Using toe separators or lamb’s wool between your toes also helps.

• Types of Fungal Infections:

• Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot, also called tineapedis, is a fungal infectionof your foot.

• Jock Itch

A type of fungus called tinea causes jock itch. The infection is also known as tineacruris. Infections happen more often in the summer or in warm, wet climates.

• Ringworm

 Ringworm also called tineacorporis.  It’s named for its ring-shaped rash with a winding, worm-like edge.

• Yeast Infections

Yeast infectionsof your skin are called cutaneous candidiasis. A type of fungus called candida causes these infections when it grows too much.

• Treatments :

• Topical Antifungals:

These are used to treat fungal infections of the skin, scalp and nails. They include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, tioconazole, terbinafine, and amorolfine. 

• Oral Antifungal medicines :

Terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole are available as tablets, which are absorbed into the body. They are used to treat various fungal infections. The one chosen depends on what type of infection you have. 

• Antifungal injections:

These may be used if you have a serious fungal infection within the body. Amphotericin, flucytosine, itraconazole, voriconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin are medicines that are sometimes used in this way. The one chosen depends on the type of fungus causing the infection.

• Dusting powders :

Antifungal dusting powders are also given to treat fungal infections associated with sweating.

• Management:

Management is the most important aspect of treating fungal infections. Fungus loves humid (sweaty) parts of the body. So sweat management is very important.

• Wear loose cotton clothing.
• Do not let sweat sit on the body for a long time. Wipe off the areas with clean wet cotton cloth / take a shower immediately after a sweating activity (like workouts / cooking).
• Use medications as per doctor’s advice. Do not self-medicate.
• Avoid hot water showers.