Psoriasis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Insurance

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a noncontagious and chronic medical condition. It is an autoimmune condition that causes the skin cells to develop rapidly on the skin resulting in plaque and swelling. The swelled-up skin turns into thick layers of plaque. This whitish-silver scaly plaque causes inflammation and redness around the skin resulting in discomfort and itchiness. These red patches swell and crack, causing skin bleeding.

Psoriasis is a result of rapid skin growth. When the production process of skin catalyses, there is skin overgrowth. A person who has psoriasis has different skin production cycle. Instead of a one-month process, their process occurs in a few days, thus leading to increased production. Due to this rapid overproduction, there is swelling of skin cells leading to scales and plaques.

There are different types of psoriasis depending on the age and affected skin area. The most common type is plaque psoriasis found on elbows and knees. Guttate psoriasis is another type which occurs during childhood affecting the arms and legs. Pustular psoriasis is more common in an adult and affects smaller body areas like hands and feet.

Psoriasis Symptoms

The psoriasis symptoms depend on the type of psoriasis affecting the patient. However, the most common symptoms of psoriasis are:

Red patchy skin with loose whitish-silver plaque-causing inflamed skin and itchiness
Itchy and swollen skin which bleeds on scraping
Soreness around the white patches of plaque
Discolouration and detachment of fingernails and toenails from the nail bed
Scaly plaque on the scalp
Swollen and painful joints

The symptoms of psoriasis differ from person to person and on the basis of the affected area of skin. The above-listed symptoms are common psoriasis symptoms. A person who suffers from a chronic condition may see a worsening of all or some of these symptoms.

Psoriasis Diagnosis

Psoriasis is a serious medical condition which needs to be addressed before it turns into a chronic condition. The psoriasis diagnosis can predominantly be made by two methods. The first method is a physical examination by a doctor. A patient suffering from psoriasis has evident symptoms which distinguish it from other similar conditions. It is necessary to show the doctor all affected areas. Psoriasis can be inherited through genetics; thus, the doctor also examines family history. Proper follow up of the medication given by the doctor can improve the condition.

Another method of psoriasis diagnosis is a biopsy. If the symptoms are not evident, then the doctor takes a skin sample for test. The skin sample is sent to the laboratory for testing, and an analysed report about the findings is given to the doctor. After thorough analysis, the medication for psoriasis is prescribed to the patient.

Psoriasis Treatment and Cost in India

Psoriasis treatment largely depends on the type and severity of the disease. There are three main types of treatment conducted by doctors. The first treatment is topical treatment. It is for patients suffering from mild to moderate psoriasis. Topical treatments serve as the first line of treatment which is directly applied to the skin. Topical treatment reduces the inflammation and growth of excess skin cells, soothing the itchiness. These treatments are via over the counter or prescription-based medicines.

The second type of treatment is for moderate to severe psoriasis patients. Ultraviolet light treatment is conducted on such patients. The ultraviolet rays are used to kill the overactive skin cells and reduce their growth. The cost of ultraviolet light therapy can be more compared to topical treatment. Those having a health insurance policy can claim the expense of this treatment.

The last type of psoriasis treatment which is used for patients not responding to any other treatment is systematic medication. Patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis could be candidates for this treatment. It uses oral and injected means of medications. Systematic medication has severe side effects and cannot be used for a longer period of time. Some of the medications include methotrexate, retinoid, cyclosporine, etc.

Health insurance in India

Health insurance has become a significant thing for a developing nation like India. The health insurance providers have come a long way and provide personalised packages for their customers. Health packages offer various benefits. Some of the key elements of the health insurance policy are an annual medical check-up, organ donor expenses, pre and post hospitalisation expenses, etc.

Psoriasis is generally covered in most insurance plans offered in India. Some insurance policy providers could have an additional waiting period which may prevent you from seeking coverage immediately using the insurance policy.

Having health insurance in India is favourable for various reasons. The rising medical costs make it essential for every member to be covered in the health insurance policy. Senior citizens can also avail a benefit offered to policies designed for them. Selecting the best health insurance policy depends on the benefits you would like to avail. So, the health insurance plan that suits the best as per its features and premium can be selected.

Other diseases in India

India is a developing nation and faces severe problems related to health and sanitation. The people in India have an irregular and unhealthy lifestyle which causes them to fall sick regularly. There are several people in India still living on the streets with inadequate resources. They lack proper food, shelter, and water. Poor sanitation and deficient food lead to an increase in diseases. Thus, India needs to create awareness for this cause, educate people about living a healthy lifestyle and provide them with proper basic facilities.

Some of the diseases that are suffered by the public in India are: