Understanding Plaque Psoriasis: A Look Beneath the Surface

Because the symptoms of plaque psoriasis appear on the surface of your skin, you might think the problem starts there. In fact, plaque psoriasis begins beneath the surface, by shortening the normal life cycle of your skin cells. In healthy skin, cells mature, rise to the surface, and are shed every 28 to 30 days. Skin cells affected by plaque psoriasis, however, mature in only 3 to 5 days–much faster than your body can shed them.

What causes plaque psoriasis?

While the direct cause of plaque psoriasis is unknown, here's what we do know: First, you may be more likely to experience plaque psoriasis if it's part of your family's medical history. Second, plaque psoriasis symptoms begin when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, for reasons we do not yet understand.

Normally, your immune system (the body's natural defense system), protects your body from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign agents. Research has suggested that plaque psoriasis may be linked to an overactive immune system, which causes the body to accelerate the growth of skin cells at a faster pace than usual. As a result, thickened, red patches, covered by silvery scales appear on the surface of your skin. Doctors refer to these as psoriatic plaques.

Who gets plaque psoriasis?

In the United States, as many as 7.5 million people have been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis affects men and women equally, but research has suggested that ethnicity may be a factor. Psoriasis is more common among Caucasians of European descent than among African Americans or Asians. Symptoms of plaque psoriasis usually appear between the ages of 15 and 25. About a third of people who have plaque psoriasis have a family history of the disease.

Only a dermatologist can determine if you have plaque psoriasis. If you're diagnosed with chronic severe plaque psoriasis, your dermatologist may prescribe REMICADE^® as part of your treatment plan.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Plaque psoriasis is characterized by thickened, red patches covered by silvery scales, which appear on the surface of your skin, and may itch or feel sore. They can occur anywhere on your body in just a few places, or over large areas of your body.

Diagnosing plaque psoriasis

There's no specific diagnostic test for plaque psoriasis. If you experience symptoms, make an appointment with a dermatologist. The dermatologist will discuss your symptoms and may ask questions about your family medical history. Your dermatologist will also look at your skin for symptoms and may decide to take a biopsy. A biopsy is a sample of the affected skin. Your dermatologist will examine this sample under a microscope to rule out other possible skin conditions.

NEXT: Treatment Options [1]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Only your doctor can recommend a course of treatment after checking your health condition. REMICADE^® (infliximab) can cause serious side effects such as lowering your ability to fight infections. Some patients, especially those 65 years and older, have had serious infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body, including tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis. Some of these infections have been fatal. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with REMICADE^®.

Unusual cancers have been reported in children and teenage patients taking TNF-blocker medicines. Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of fatal lymphoma, has occurred mostly in teenage or young adult males with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who were taking REMICADE^® and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including REMICADE^®, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase.

You should discuss any concerns about your health and medical care with your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before I take REMICADE^®?

You should let your doctor know if you have or ever had any of the following:

Tuberculosis (TB) or have been near someone who has TB. Your doctor will check you for TB with a skin test. If you have latent (inactive) TB, you will begin TB treatment before you start REMICADE^®.
Lived in a region where certain fungal infections like histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis are common.
Infections that keep coming back, have diabetes or an immune system problem.
Any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing cancer, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or had phototherapy for psoriasis.
Heart failure or any heart condition. Many people with heart failure should not take REMICADE^®.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or think you may be a carrier of HBV. Your doctor will test you for HBV.
Nervous system disorders (like multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor if you:

Use the medicines Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept) or Actemra (tocilizumab) or other medicines called biologics used to treat the same problems as REMICADE^®.
Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breast-feeding, or have a baby and were using REMICADE^® during your pregnancy. Tell your baby’s doctor about your REMICADE^® use before the baby receives any vaccine because of an increased risk of infection for up to 6 months after your last dose of REMICADE^® you received during your pregnancy.
Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while taking REMICADE^®.

What should I watch for and talk to my doctor about before or while taking REMICADE^®?

The following serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have been reported in people taking REMICADE^®.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below:

Infections (like TB, blood infections, pneumonia)—fever, tiredness, cough, flu, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores. REMICADE^® can make you more likely to get an infection or make any infection that you have worse.
Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children.
Skin cancer—any changes in or growths on your skin.
Heart failure—new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Reactivation of HBV—feeling unwell, poor appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash and/or joint pain.
Liver injury—jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark brown urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or severe tiredness.
Blood disorders—fever that doesn’t go away, bruising, bleeding or severe paleness.
Nervous system disorders—numbness, weakness, tingling, changes in your vision or seizures.
Allergic reactions during or after the infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of face and hands, and fever or chills.
Lupus-like syndrome—chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. The more common side effects with REMICADE^® are respiratory infections (that may include sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing and stomach pain.
Psoriasis—new or worsening psoriasis such as red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

For more information, please download the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and discuss it with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.