About Psoriasis

Overview

Psoriasis is a chronic disease where skin cells build up quickly, typically causing red or discolored, scaly, and itchy patches on the skin. It is not contagious and can vary in severity.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease (a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body.

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Red, brown, or purple patches of skin
• Patches of thick, raised skin (plaques)
• Itching
• Irritation, burning, or stinging
• Pustules or blisters
• Dry skin that may crack or bleed
• Changes to nails
• Flaking of dead skin

On Caucasian skin, plaques typically appear as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. On skin of color, the plaques may appear darker and thicker and more of a purple or grayish color or darker brown.

Symptoms often start between ages 15 and 25 but can start at any age. Men, women, and children of all skin colors can get psoriasis.

Common Locations

• Elbows
• Face
• Feet
• Hands
• Knees
• Nails
• Scalp
• Skin folds (including genitals)

Psoriasis can be anywhere on the body. Plaques can be a few small areas or can affect large areas. It’s possible to have psoriasis plaques and scales in more than one location on the body at a time. Psoriasis on certain locations, called high-impact sites, can have an increased negative impact on quality of life, regardless of the total area affected by psoriasis.

Causes & Triggers

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. It is believed to be caused by genetics, the immune system, and the environment.

Psoriasis plaques occur because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin.

Inflammation caused by psoriasis can impact other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also experience related health conditions. One in three people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis.

While scientists do not know what exactly causes psoriasis, we do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. One thing we do know: psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch psoriasis from another person. Usually, something triggers psoriasis, causing symptoms to appear or worsen. Triggers vary from person to person.

Diagnosis

A health care provider will take several factors into consideration when making a diagnosis for psoriasis, including:

• The appearance of the skin. Psoriasis lesions (patches) may be thick, raised plaques, or fine scaling.
• The location of psoriasis. There are areas on the body that are more common for psoriasis to appear.
• Itch of the skin. This is a common symptom of psoriasis.
• A skin biopsy (the removal of a small piece of skin to be looked at under a microscope) may be needed if the diagnosis is not clear from visual inspection. The biopsy may also be done to determine if it is psoriasis or another skin condition. However, most often, psoriasis can be identified by examining the skin and does not usually require a skin biopsy.

Treatment & Management

Although there is no cure, there are more effective psoriasis treatments today than ever before. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms as well as lower the risk of developing psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

Treatments for psoriasis include:

• Topicals, including over-the-counter topicals, topical steroids, and topical non-steroids
• Phototherapy
• Systemics, including oral, biologic, and biosimilar treatments

Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), which includes natural products, lifestyle changes, and mind and body practices, is a popular addition to some people’s treatment plans. Talk with your health care provider before making any changes to your treatment plan to decide if it is right for you.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent the onset of psoriasis, however, there are many ways that you can manage your triggers to reduce flares.

Outlook/Prognosis

Psoriatic disease is lifelong, and symptoms may resolve and recur throughout the lifetime.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments today are more effective than ever before and research into new treatments, as well as a cure, is ongoing. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms and may decrease the associated inflammation that can lead to psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and depression.

Life with Psoriasis

As with other chronic diseases, psoriasis may affect areas of your life other than your physical health. Psoriasis may affect your emotional health, your relationships, and how you handle stress. It could even affect areas of your life that you wouldn’t expect, such as your skin care routine or the clothes that you choose to wear. For some people, living with psoriasis can be a challenge. However, there are ways to handle those challenges so you can thrive with psoriasis.

Additional Resources