Manjusha Deore*
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that is inflammatory and proliferative, resulting from T-cell activation. It is identified by distinctly peach-pink or drab-red hard silvery scale patches that are abrasive to the skin. Hyperkeratosis, dilated microvessels, abnormal keratinization, epidermal proliferation, and inflammatory cell infiltration are further symptoms. A chronic inflammatory dermatosis, psoriasis affects approximately 2% of people. It typically manifests for the first time between the ages of 15 and 30. Brownish-red papules and plaques that are well-defined and covered in tiny, silvery white scales are the lesions’ defining feature. Auspitz signs are tiny bleeding spots that occur when the scales are gently scraped off. Extensor surfaces of the extremities, particularly the knees and elbows, the scalp, upper back, and sacral area are frequently affected. An unusual pitting of the nails is observed in around 25% of patients. About 5% of people get psoriatic arthritis that resembles rheumatoid arthritis, although there is no rheumatoid component.
History of Disease: Greek, Roman, and Arabic literatures, as well as Egyptian literature, contain the first known works about skin illnesses. Skin disorders primarily fell under general medicine in the 16th-century BC Ebers Papyrus. Though cosmetics were a priority at the time, the researchers’ main focus was on ways to stop itching. The names given to different skin conditions weren’t always appropriate, which frequently caused misunderstanding later on. Although leprosy was frequently referenced in the Bible, more research revealed that the disease was typically psoriasis; additionally, examinations of ancient Egyptian mummies revealed no evidence of leprosy (McCaw 1944). According to Gruber et al. (2004), the Bible mentions a condition called “zaraath” that appears to be either psoriasis or leprosy. Although it was initially believed that Moses and his sister Miriam may have had leprosy, additional research revealed that the cutaneous lesions they displayed were more likely to be caused by psoriasis or a fungal infection (liddell 2006). However, seborrheic dermatitis was actually what Galen referred to as psoriasis (Baker 2008). The Greeks used the term “psora” to refer to two conditions: simply psora, which is represented by squamous-crusted lesions, and ulcerated psora, which is characterized by pustular lesions that cause ulceration and is thought to be contagious (Willan 1809).
10.5281/zenodo.15817616