Plaque psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes raised red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells to form. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis about 80 to 90% of the 7 million to 8 million Americans who have psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Plaque psoriasis is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, but it can affect anywhere on the body, says Dr. Alan Westheim, dermatologist at St. Lukes Medical Associates of Monroe County in East Stroudsburg. The plaques can be itchy and painful, he says.

Because psoriasis can be unsightly, many fear it is contagious, but it is not, Westheim says. It cant be spread by touch or by close contact, he says. We also know that psoriasis has a large effect on the patients quality of life.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, Westheim explains. That means the body sees its own cells as foreign invaders and attacks them. The attacks cause the skin to grow more quickly, Westheim says. Normal skin replenishes every five to six weeks, Westheim says. When you have psoriasis, your skin replenishes every five to six days.

It isnt known why some people get psoriasis and others dont, Westheim says. Genetics is believed to play a role. About 10% of people are born with genes that make them prone to psoriasis, but only about 3% of people get psoriasis. Obesity also appears to play a role; the greater your weight, the greater likelihood of developing psoriasis, he says.

If both parents have psoriasis, their children are more likely to get psoriasis, too, Westheim says.

You can get psoriasis at any age, even as an infant, Westheim says. However, it is most common when people are in their late teens and early 20s and again after age 60.

Topical, systemic treatments available

There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be treated, Westheim says. Some people are able to achieve clear skin with the newer treatments available. The newer treatments are designed to stop the immune process that leads to plaques.

When it comes to treatment, theres a ladder we climb, Westheim says. We try one treatment, and if that doesnt work, we go onto the next.

Depending on the severity of your psoriasis, your doctor may recommend topical treatments topical creams and steroids and vitamin D derivatives, he says. If you respond, great. If you dont, we might try UV light treatments. And if that doesnt work, we can talk about medications.

Methotrexate had been the mainstay for many years, but now there are a number of newer drugs on the market, Westheim says. The newer medicines are biologics and work wonderfully but are costly around $20,000 a year, he says.

Treatments are important to prevent disease progression and joint destruction, he says. It is important to look at psoriasis as a systemic disease as there is associated risk for heart disease and other systemic illnesses.

About a third of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause joint pain and swelling, Westheim says.

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Psoriasis cant be cured, but new treatments can clear skin in many - Pocono Record