Plaque psoriasis symptoms and Treatment

What is Plaque Psoriasis? 

Plaque psoriasis also is known as psoriasis Vulgaris, is characterized by sharply demarcated, erythematous, round or oval, plaques with loosely adherent silvery-white micaceous scales. The removal of scales mainly results in Auspitz signs (fine punctate bleeding). The lesions are usually symmetrically distributed and pruritic. Typical sites include the knees, elbows, arms, torso, and scalp. The involvement of the scalp, face, and intertriginous and diaper areas is more common in infants and young children. Skin lesions tend to persist for months to years and intermittent flares are common. New lesions may form at the site of trauma (Koebner phenomenon).

Mucosal involvement is unusual. Seronegative inflammatory arthritis develops in about 30% of patients. Psoriatic arthritis can precede, coincide with, or follow the development of the skin lesions. By and by most patients develop nail involvement which includes discoloration, pitting, onycholysis, or onychodystrophy. Nail involvement precedes the skin lesions in approximately 4% of patients. Complications of psoriasis include an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and emotional distress in more severely affected individuals. Occasionally, patients with psoriasis may also develop uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Estimates of prevalence range from 1 to 2%. About 25% of patients are more likely to develop the disease before 20 years of age.

Both males and females are affected equally. The condition more commonly occurs in Caucasian individuals than in black or Asian individuals. 

The prevalence is greatest in northern, colder climates, and the disease is more severe in the colder months. A first-degree relative family history of psoriasis is responsible for about 30% of patients with childhood-onset psoriasis. 

How can psoriasis be treated: Treatment of psoriasis directly depends upon the individual circumstances. Topical treatment is sufficient alone in most cases. But for people with more extensive or difficult to treat psoriasis, phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment), tablet treatment or injection treatment may be required. 

An injection treatment named Humira can be the best option in order to treat patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. More information about medication is as follows:

Something about Adalimumab injection (Humira): Adalimumab, an immunosuppressive medication, used to treat autoimmune diseases, which is basically sold under the brand name Humira. It is a medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. 

Use of Humira is generally only recommended in people who have not responded to other treatments. 

Adalimumab is administered by subcutaneous injection. For several indications, the maintenance treatment is an injection every other week. 

The medication may leave some common side effects including rash, upper respiratory tract infections, pain at the site of injection and headache. 

Dosage and Administration: For Plaque Psoriasis: 80 mg initial dose, followed by adalimumab 40 mg injection every other week starting one week after initial dose. 

Is Humira used to treat psoriasis: Humira is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and a monoclonal antibody that works by inactivating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα).

Adalimumab recommended to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adults who have the condition in many areas of their body and who may benefit from taking pills or injection or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills). Adalimumab has been shown to be quite effective therapy when used either continuously or intermittently in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. 

How long does adalimumab take to work?

You may start feeling better within a few days of your initial dose, but for some patients, it may take numerous months in order to feel a benefit. It is unpredictable exactly how long adalimumab will take for you, and you should not be concerned if you do not feel a benefit after your initial few injections.

How should I store Humira: Store Humira in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not use it if frozen even if it has been thawed. 

Humira should be stored in the original carton until the time of administration to protect from light.

Read- Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus