Pustular Psoriasis

Of group of cells that surround the skin are called skin growths. The growths can appear both flat or raised. Their color and size also range from flesh-colored to black. It is important to keep a watchful eye on them no matter what the disposition of the growth.

An uncommon form of psoriasis is pustular psoriasis. Those with this skin ailment have raised bumps that are filled with pus. Around these bumps the skin is red. The bumps dry up after a few days and begin to peel, leaving behind a smooth surface; at that time new pustules may appear. There are several different categories of pustular psoriasis based on the symptoms that the individual exhibits. The can be acute or severe, to chronic or long-term and sub acute or combination.

Who Can Get Them?

Individuals of all races can be affected by pustular psoriasis. Males and females are affected equally. Although in children boys seem to get it more than girls. Adults over the age of fifty are inflicted with pustular psoriasis. The average age for children is between two and ten years old.

What Can Cause Them?

It is unknown what exactly causes pustular psoriasis. Individuals who have a history of psoriasis do seem to get it. An outbreak of this skin disorder can result from some factors; including withdrawal from taking corticosteroids, drugs such as lithium and iodide, strong topical corticosteroids and infections.

How Does It Happen?

Individuals who have pustular psoriasis will have dry, red and tender skin. After a few hours of the skin doing this, the pustules will start to fill with pus.

Where Do They Appear?

Arbitrarily, pustular psoriasis can appear on any part of the body. In some forms, pustular psoriasis appears only on an individuals hands or feet.

What Are The Symptoms of Pustular Psoriasis?

Initial symptoms of pustular psoriasis include: dry skin that is red and tender to the touch. Individuals can also have a fever, chills, a headache, loss of appetite, nausea and possible muscle weakness. The pustules will fill up with pus after a few hours of the onset. To the individual experiencing it, the sudden outbreak of pustular psoriasis can be shocking. Within a couple of weeks the condition will start to clear up. After the initial outbreak clears up many individuals will experience another one.

How Can It Be Diagnosed?

This is a very serious condition which requires individuals to be hospitalized once they are diagnosed with it. To see if you have this skin disorder, blood tests will be done. There is a low level of calcium in the blood of individuals with pustular psoriasis; other changes include low zinc numbers in the blood.

What Treatments Are Available for Pustular Psoriasis?

Due to cardio respiratory failure during the eruptive phase of this skin disorder it is a severe condition that can possibly lead to death. It can also cause other bacterial infections and liver problems. Individuals with the condition should be kept from experiencing any other fluid loss. This is why quick treatment is critical.

A topical compress is first used to treat the area to help with the pustules. Then to assist with the infection antibiotics are prescribed. Individuals are given an oral retinoid in extreme cases. Individual may have to restart taking corticosteroids temporarily if they were previously on them. In some cases of pustular psoriasis, photo therapy has been used successfully for treatment. Signs of success in treating this skin disorder have also been found in other medications such as methotrexate and hydroxyurea. Since these medicines can have strong side effects, anyone taking these medications needs to be watched carefully.

The main goal is to remember that pustular psoriasis is a serious skin ailment no matter what treatment you are using and that seeking immediate medical attention is important. A better prognosis will be gained if you get attention soon and you are more likely to prevent permanent damage.

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