Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

The understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis has evolved into a branched model of innate and acquired immunity. Knowledge of the genetics of psoriasis has been found to be compatible with this model. The impact of psoriasis, beyond the skin, is often overlooked and undertreated. We report a case of familial psoriasis mistakenly taken for a curse. The patient was a twenty-year-old farmer from Kita who presented with initially asymptomatic, then progressively pruritic lesions that had been recurring intermittently since he was seven years old, with the latest recurrence occurring one month ago. Topical phyto-therapy had been used for these lesions. The persistence of the lesions and their stigmatizing nature prompted the consultation. There was no joint pain or other symptoms. His medical history revealed a similar dermatosis in his father and maternal aunt, which began at the ages of eighteen and twelve, respectively. There was no history of consanguinity. Upon examination, erythematous-squamous plaques of varying sizes and shapes were noted. Methodical scraping with a tongue depressor revealed the presence of removable scales, the sign of the "oil drop," and Auspitz's sign. These lesions were located on the ulnar borders of the hands, the inner and outer surfaces of the forearms, minimally on the abdomen, the lumbar diamond, the knees, all surfaces of the legs, and the dorsum of the feet. The Complete Blood Count, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose were normal. Histopathology was not performed. A diagnosis of mild plaque psoriasis was established. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic manifestations, in which psychological factors play a significant role. The etiology of psoriasis is complex and multifactorial, involving genetic heritage and environmental factors such as emotional or physical stress. The holistic aspect of patient care is crucial in managing chronic conditions.