Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin covered in silvery scales. It is caused by a problem with the immune system. It usually affects adults, and it sometimes runs in families.
Where it appears
The patches usually form on the:
- elbows and knees
- scalp, back and face
- palms and feet
They can appear elsewhere too. Some people with psoriasis also develop a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.
What goes wrong in the skin
Skin renews itself through cell turnover: cells that grow deep in the skin rise to the surface. Normally that takes a month. In psoriasis the cells rise too fast, and the process takes only days.
Diagnosis
Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. A doctor may need to examine a small sample of skin under a microscope.
Flares and triggers
Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime, with symptoms that come and go. Things that can make it worse include:
- infections
- stress
- dry skin
- certain medicines
Treatment
Treatments include creams, medicines and light therapy.
Sources
Based on "Psoriasis", MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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