ST.

VINCENT PALLOTTI SCHOOL

INDORE
BIOLOGY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT FILE
ON
“Psoriasis”

SUBMITTED BY:- SUBMITTED TO:-

Yuvraj Singh Panwar Mrs. Sandhya Suresh
CLASS: XII
SESSION: 2023-24

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 Department of Biology
St. Vincent Pallotti School
Indore (M.P.)

___________________________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATE
The project report entitled

“Psoriasis”
This is certified that Mast. Yuvraj Singh Panwar student of class
XII of St. Vincent Pallotti School has successfully completed the
project under guidance of Ms. Sandhya Suresh during academic
year session 2023-24.

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Internal Examiner’s External Examiner’s
Signature Signature

_____________ _______________
Principal’s Signature Institution Stamp

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project was very innovative and exciting for me. I could
bring it out successfully and so I am thankful to a couple of
people.
I am thankful to our Principal Rev. Fr Dantees Thomas for
incorporating the values of discipline and dedication which
were the key points to complete our task.
I am highly obliged to my Biology Teacher, Mrs. Sandhya Suresh
who approved me for this topic and guided me throughout the
project. Her motivation boosted our confidence at every step.
Next, I would also like to thank our Biology laboratory assistant
Mr. Bharat Purohit for providing all the requirements and
maintaining a healthy environment to carry out my project
work. I am also grateful to school’s library for providing me
enough books to gather information regarding my project.
I am also grateful to the Almighty God, my parents and my
friends for their moral support and words of encouragement.
Finally I would also like to thank Central Board of Secondary
Education for giving me this opportunity to undertake this
project.
Yuvraj Singh Panwar
Class: XII

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 Table of Content
S.No. Topics Pg. No.

1 Introduction 4

2 Introduction to Psoriasis 5

3 Types of Psoriasis 6

4 Pathophysiology 8

5 Symptoms & Preventions 9

6 Treatment 12

7 Case Study 14

8 Bibliography 18

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 Introduction to Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-lasting, non-contagious autoimmune
disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These areas
are red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly. Psoriasis varies in
severity from small localized patches to complete body
coverage. Injury to the skin can trigger psoriatic skin changes at
that spot.
The etiology of psoriasis remains unclear, although there is
evidence for genetic predisposition. The role of the immune
system in psoriasis causation is also a major topic of research.
Although there is a suggestion that psoriasis could be an
autoimmune disease, no auto-antigen that could be responsible
has been defined yet. Psoriasis can also be provoked by external
and internal triggers, including mild trauma, sunburn, infections,
systemic drugs and stress.
Treatment of psoriasis is still based on controlling the
symptoms. The need for treatment is usually lifelong and is
aimed at remission. So far, there is no therapy that would give
hope for a complete cure of psoriasis. Additionally, care for
patients with psoriasis requires not only treating skin lesions
and joint involvement, but it is also very important to identify
and manage common comorbidity that already exists or may
develop, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases as well
as psychological conditions.

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 Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis:- This is the most common kind, and it
appears as raised, red patches of skin that are covered by
silvery-white scales. The patches usually develop in a
symmetrical pattern on the body and tend to appear on the
scalp, trunk, and limbs, especially the elbows and knees.

Nail Psoriasis:- It can affect fingernails and toenails,

causing pitting, abnormal nail growth and discoloration.
Psoriatic nails might loosen and separate from the nail bed.
Severe disease may cause the nail to crumble.

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Guttate Psoriasis:- It primarily affects young adults and
children. It's usually triggered by a bacterial infection such as
strep throat. It's marked by small, drop-shaped, scaling spots
on the trunk, arms or legs.

Pustular Psoriasis:- It is a rare type, causes clearly

defined pus-filled blisters. It can occur in widespread patches
or on small areas of the palms or soles.

Erythrodermic psoriasis:- The least common type of

psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis can cover the entire body
with a peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely. It can be
short-lived (acute) or long-term (chronic).

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 Pathophysiology
Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem that
causes skin cells to grow faster than usual. In the most common
type of psoriasis known as plaque psoriasis, this rapid turnover
of cells results in dry, scaly patches.
The skin's epidermal layer grows abnormally quickly and
excessively in psoriasis patients. The pathogenic events that
cause psoriasis lead to both an excess of skin cells and abnormal
skin cell synthesis, particularly during wound repair. Psoriasis is
assumed to follow a pathological sequence that begins with an
initiation phase, during which an immune system activation
event occurs (such as skin damage, infection, or medication),
followed by a maintenance phase marked by the disease's
chronic progression. In psoriasis, skin cells change every 3-5
days instead of the typical 28-30 days. These alterations are
thought to result from the keratinocyte’s early maturation,
which is brought on by an inflammatory chain reaction in the
dermis that includes dendritic cells, macrophages, and T cells
(three subtypes of white blood cells)
The cause of psoriasis isn't fully understood. It's thought to be
an immune system problem where infection-fighting cells attack
healthy skin cells by mistake. Researchers believe that both
genetics and environmental factors play a role. The condition is
not contagious.

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 Symptoms & Preventions
Based on the type of skin lesions, location, the age of onset and
course of disease, several clinical classifications of psoriasis are
used. The most frequently reported symptoms connected to
psoriasis are:-
Scaling of the skin in 92%
Itching in 72%
Erythema in 69%
Fatigue in 27%
Swelling in 23%
Burning in 20%
Bleeding in 20% of individuals

Fig:- Development of psoriasis in skin cells

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Common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:-

A patchy rash that differs greatly in appearance from person

to person, from large eruptions across a large portion of the
body to areas with scaling similar to dandruff.
Rashes that vary in color, tending to be shades of purple with
gray scale on brown or Black skin and pink or red with silver
scale on white skin.
Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children).
Dry, cracked skin that may bleed.
Itching, burning or soreness.
Cyclic rashes that flare for a few weeks or months and then
subside.
Psoriasis Triggers:-

Many people who are predisposed to psoriasis may be free of

symptoms for years until the disease is triggered by some
environmental factor. Common psoriasis triggers include:
Infections, such as strep throat or skin infections
Weather, especially cold, dry conditions
Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, a bug bite, or a
severe sunburn
Smoking and Heavy alcohol consumption
Certain medications:- including lithium, high blood pressure
drugs and anti-malarial drugs
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Complications:-

Psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in

and around the joints
Temporary skin colour changes (post-inflammatory
hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation) where plaques
have healed
Eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Mental health conditions, such as low self-esteem and
depression
Risk Factor:-
Anyone can develop psoriasis. About a third of instances begin
in childhood. These factors can increase the risk of developing
the disease:-

Family history:- The condition runs in families. Having one

parent with psoriasis increases your risk of getting the
disease. And having two parents with psoriasis increases your
risk even more.
Smoking:- Smoking tobacco not only increases the risk of
psoriasis but also may increase the severity of the disease.

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 Treatment
Psoriasis treatments aim to stop skin cells from growing so
quickly and to remove scales. Options include creams and
ointments (topical therapy), light therapy (phototherapy), and
oral or injected medications.

Which treatments you use depends on how severe the psoriasis

is and how responsive it has been to previous treatment and
self-care measures. You might need to try different drugs or a
combination of treatments before you find an approach that
works. Even with successful treatment, usually the disease
returns. Some of the treatments are:-

Topical Therapy:-

 Corticosteroids
Vitamin D analogues
Retinoids
Salicylic acid
Coal tar
Light Therapy:-

 Sunlight
Goeckerman therapy
UVB Broadband
UVB Narrowband
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Oral or injected medications:-

Steroids
Retinoids
Methotrexate
Cyclosporine
Biologics
Treatment considerations:-

Health care providers choose a treatment approach based on

your needs and the type and severity of your psoriasis. You'll
likely start with the mildest treatments — topical creams and
ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy). Then, if your condition
doesn't improve, you might move on to stronger treatments .

People with pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis usually need to

start with stronger (systemic) medications.
In any situation, the goal is to find the most effective way to
slow cell turnover with the fewest possible side effects.

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 Case Study
Personal date:-

Name:- Yuvraj Singh Panwar

Age:- 17
Gender:- Male
Address:- Indore[M.P.]
Medical and Disease History

I am affected by psoriasis from last 6 years. I was never affected

by a chronic disease before. In past 2-3 generation of my family
there is no one affected by psoriasis before. I also have never
consumed drugs like tobacco and alcohol.
I am affected by Plaque Psoriasis i.e. the most common type of
Psoriasis. I first observed it on year 2017. There were no major
symptoms to me before. At starting there were only few
plaques but the number of plaques started to increase. As the
number of plaques increases it started to feel itchy on the
affected area. The plaques on my body never hurt or I feel pain
over them. I also started to get plaque on my head at scalp
region. The plaque scales on my body were white in colour
because of dry skin. After this I thought to consult with the
doctor.

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 Doctor’s Consultation

My first doctor consultation was at ‘Dr. Manoj Sirkanunago

Clinic’, Indore. Over there the doctor first stated the term
Psoriasis to me. The doctor said to me that one of the major
reasons of psoriasis is dry skin and by keeping it moist using
ointment and cream, psoriasis can spread slowly. They gave me
different medicines and cream. After some time plaque of my
body started to disappear, but in winter’s they started to
reappear.
After this I consult to another doctor at a clinic name ‘Derm
Care’, Indore and there the doctor clearly said that I need to
take a tablet for whole life. I was also recommended to take
morning sunlight for 10-15 minutes daily. I continued there for 1
year but there was no progress in my condition.
I went to a hospital name Bhailal Amin General Hospital at
Vadodara [Gujarat]. Over there the doctor said to me that the
weekly tablet that is given to me is correct medicine but in long
term use it may affect the liver and suggested to reduce its
dosage. They also suggest to continue treatment at Indore as all
the medicines were correct. So, I continued there for 3 months.
Finally I decided to consult at ESIC Government Hospital, Indore
and I am receiving almost same medicine as of all the other
hospitals. Here, I also need to take blood test in every 3-4
months. I am still continuing over there and there is some
improvement in my condition.
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 Medication and Treatment

I have been recommended with different type of medication

but there is one common medication which is given to me every
time i.e. Methotrexate Tablets IP 7.5mg and its dosage is to be
taken once in a week. At Derm Care I was also said to eat this
medicine for lifetime and when I went to Bhailal Amin General
Hospital over there I was recommended to reduce the dosage
of this tablet because of its side effect that it may affect the
liver in long term use.
I was also provided with hydrating cream to prevent making my
skin dry. When I was having plaque on the scalp region they also
provided me with certain shampoos.
I was also provided with many ointments to apply on the
affected area that contain Salicyic Acid and other components.
I also need to do blood test in every 3-4 months. The Blood tests
are:-
Liver Function Test
Renal Function Test
Complete Blood Count Routine, CBC Routine

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 Present Condition

In present I am still affected by psoriasis, my treatment is still

continuing. Now I do not have plaques at the scalp region. I do
not have plaques on my body usually but during winters they
started to reappear because of dry skin. My skin feels itchy very
rarely and never has pain in the plaque. The Plaque only bleeds
when it gets hurt over there. I do not have any other disease
that can be caused due to psoriasis such as psoriasis arthritis,
cardiovascular diseases and many more. My social life is also
normal and does not face any issue like getting socially
separated by people or any other type of discrimination.

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 Bibliography

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis

 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/psoriasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355845

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448194/

 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840

 https://www.who.int/publications-detail-
redirect/9789241565189

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