By Disease Name > Psoriasis

Psoriasis

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•strong family history
•5 types of psoriatic arthritis
•clinical pearl - psoriasis plaques are well-demarcated/sharply marginated therefore always consider psoriasis when you see a plaque like this (tinea is also sharply marginated)
•clinical pearl - psoriasis in a child, check for strep (pharyngitis vs. perianal strep)

 

Clinical Variants:

•Von Zumbush = generalized pustular psoriasis
•in pregnant woman = impetigo herpetiformis (often with with no history of psoriasis)
•Pustularis Palmaris et Plantaris/ Acrodermatitis Continua Hallopeau

 

Inverse Psoriasis:

•intertriginous distribution: axilla, groin, submammary region, navel, intergluteal fold
•sometimes ddx of “sebopsoriasis” comes up (especially if scalp and/chest involved)

 

boards favorites:

•drugs that exacerbate – lithium, B-blockers, NSAIDS, antimalarials        
•most common form of psoriatic arthritis – oligoarthritis of hands        
•pustular psoriasis lab abnormality – hypocalcemia (mnemonic – there is an “o” in psoriasis for hypocalcemia)        

       

 

treatment

topical:

Steroids

•but tachyphylaxis, therefore intermittent regimen (2 of every 5 weeks)
•anti-mitotic and anti-inflammatory
•avoid systemic steroids - rebound

topical tars and anthralin

•= hydrocarbons with anti-mitotic activity (tars also anti-inflammatory)

 

systemic:

PUVA

•psoralen intercalates with DNA strands; binds to them when irradiated

methotrexate

•folate antagonist à inhibits cellular proliferation
•long term concern = liver toxicity

acitretin (Soriatane)

•especially pustular psoriasis
•can be used in conjunction with PUVA