Red spots on the body: Is it psoriasis? Psoriasis - Symptoms, Distinction, Treatment

[Ulsan Hanul Maeum Oriental Clinic] Red spots on the body: is it Psoriasis?

We are a Korean oriental medical clinic that treats only skin diseases. For patients suffering from various chronic skin diseases, we treat hearbal medication from a Korean oriental medicine perspective rather than the existing modern medicine.

This time, I want to talk about psoriasis among various diseases.

In many cases, patients in the early stages of psoriasis do not recognize the red spots as the initial symptom of psoriasis and thus miss the critical time for treatment.

[Image 1. Typical symptoms of psoriasis: covered with rashes and scales without any scars]

[Image 2. Allergy symptoms, with small papules and scars]

[Image 3. Eczema symptoms, with scars in largely affected areas]

Psoriasis can be easily confused with an allergy or eczema. As it only shows red and scaly patches on the skin in the early stages, it is easily mistaken as dry skin and thus left without any treatment. Due to a lack of itchiness compared to allergies or eczema, it tends to be depreciated by those suffering from it. However, psoriasis is considered as an incurable disease which is more difficult to treat than an allergy or eczema. If you have the following symptoms, you need to consult with an expert.

Below, we check some of the details about psoriasis, with the help of the Ulsan Hanul Maeum Oriental Clinic.

1.     When symptoms worsen during the winter and are alleviated during the summer

Unlike other skin diseases, psoriasis is affected by seasonal changes. Regions with plenty of sunshine and hot temperatures, such as areas on or near the equator, have remarkably low incidences of this disease compared to colder regions. As Korea has four seasons, the symptoms of psoriasis become severe in the winter and are alleviated during the summer. In contrast, the symptoms of allergies or eczema have no seasonal differences or can even worsen during the summer.

2.     When a red rash is accompanied by scales but is not itchy

Psoriasis shows relatively moderate itchiness, as it is a disease associated with scaly, dead skin cells. Even with severe red patches, patients with psoriasis do not feel itchiness at all. Even when itchiness does occur, it is rather moderate such that patients do not scratch until they are covered with weeping or bleeding sores. The major symptom is the presence of scaly, dead skin cells. As they continuously form and flake off, evidence of the exfoliation of the skin can be seen on the patient’s bed or on their shoulders, similar to dandruff.

In contrast, allergies or eczema, as pruritogenic diseases, are associated with intense itchiness which can become severe enough such that patients with an allergy or eczema scratch enough to make the skin bleed or experience weeping sores.

3.     When the symptoms occur on the navel, ears or knees only

As the most frequently affected parts of the body are the navel, ears and knees, if you have red and scaly patches in these areas, you may consider the possibility that you have psoriasis. Allergies or eczema can often appear on parts of the body that bend, such as the inner elbow, armpit, or on the backs of the knees; however, psoriasis often shows up on opposite parts that bend. In the case of severe symptoms, patients often bleed from torn scars when they bend the joint in the affected area.

When treated in a timely manner, the prognosis can be relatively positive; however, if not thus treated, patients may require much longer treatments. In some cases, it may accompany arthritis or cardiovascular disease and may therefore need proper treatment quickly.

As mentioned above, the most common symptoms of psoriasis are as follows: (1) it becomes severe during the winter; (2) it shows scaly, dead skin cells; and (3) it occurs on areas such as the knees or elbows. Even with these symptoms, it is not easy to distinguish between all types of psoriasis. Therefore, if you have any of these symptoms, you will need to consult with an expert.

Please keep in mind that you can always visit us at the Ulsan Hanul Maeum Oriental Clinic for better skin and better treatment.

Next time, We talk about how we treat psoriasis.

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