knowledge center home eczema / psoriasis all about psoriasis what is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the skin. It is non-contagious. A reddish, scaly rash - often referred to as red, scaly patches - is commonly found over the surfaces of the scalp, around or in the ears, the elbows, knees, navel, genitals and buttocks.

The scaly patches, also known as psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin quickly builds up in the affected area, because skin production is faster than the bodys ability to shed it. Areas with psoriatic plaques take on a silvery-white appearance.

Unlike eczema, psoriasis is more commonly found on the extensor aspect of a joint.

Psoriasis varies in severity - some patients may only have minor localized patches, while others are affected all over the body. Psoriatic nail dystrophy is common among patients with psoriasis - where the fingernails and toenails are affected. Psoriasis may also result in inflammation of the joints, as may be the case with psoriatic arthritis, which affects approximately 10% to 15% of all psoriasis patients.

Experts are not sure what causes psoriasis. Most believe there is a genetic component that can be triggered by a prolonged injury to the skin. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, mental stress, and withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid medications are said to be factors that may aggravate psoriasis.

According to the National Health Service, UK, approximately 2% of the British population is affected by psoriasis. People with psoriasis most commonly develop symptoms between the ages of 11 and 45 years. However, it can start at any age.

The human body produces new skin cells at the lowest skin level. Gradually those cells move up through the layers of skin until they reach the outermost level, where they eventually die and flake off. The whole cycle - skin cell production to skin death and flaking off - takes between 21 and 28 days. In patients with psoriasis, the cycle takes only between 2 to 6 days; resulting in a rapid buildup of cells on the skins surface, causing red, flaky, scaly, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are then shed.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition - it is long lasting. Some people have periods with no symptoms, while others live with signs and symptoms all the time. For some people psoriases can be seriously disabling.

Although there is no current cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Psoriasis is A common multifactorial inherited condition characterized by the eruption of circumscribed, discrete and confluent, reddish, silvery-scaled maculopapules; the lesions occur predominantly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk, and microscopically show characteristic parakeratosis and elongation of rete ridges with shortening of epidermal keratinocyte transit time due to decreased cyclic guanosine monophosphate.

The word psoriasis comes from the Greek word psoriasis, meaning being itchy.

This Psoriasis information section was written by Christian Nordqvist for Medical News Today, and may not be re-produced in any way without the permission of Medical News Today.

Disclaimer: This informational section on Medical News Today is regularly reviewed and updated, and provided for general information purposes only. The materials contained within this guide do not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice, which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.

Please note that although you may feel free to cite and quote this article, it may not be re-produced in full without the permission of Medical News Today. For further details, please view our full terms of use

MediLexicon International Ltd

See original here:
What is Psoriasis? - Medical News Today

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting around 2% of people in the UK.

Different types of psoriasis cause different symptoms, The most common type, plaque psoriasis, causes thick red plaques covered with silvery scales.

Psoriasis image Interactive Medical Media, LLC

The most common areas affected are the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, although any skin surface may be involved. It can also occur in the nails and body folds.

Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person, but it can occur in members of the same family.

Psoriasis usually begins in early adulthood or later in life. In most people, the rash is limited to a few patches of skin; in severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body. The rash can heal and come back again throughout a person's life.

Psoriasis starts as small red bumps, which enlarge and become scaly. The skin appears thick, but bleeds easily if the scales are picked or rubbed off.

In addition, the rash may produce:

If you have a rash that is not healing, seek medical advice for evaluation of the rash to determine if it is psoriasis.

The signs of psoriasis vary depending on the type you have. Some common signs for plaque psoriasis - the most common variety of the condition - include:

Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain and swelling in the joints. The Psoriasis Association estimates that between 5% and 7% of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis, but this figure rises to about 40% in people who have severe psoriasis.

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors contributes to the development of the condition. An abnormality in the immune system causes inflammation in the skin, triggering new skin cells to develop too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every three to four days. The build-up of old cells being replaced by new cells creates the silver scales of psoriasis.

Read more:
Psoriasis - WebMD Boots

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get the patches on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. Some people who have psoriasis also get a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.

A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.

Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. Your doctor might need to look at a small skin sample under a microscope.

Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime. Symptoms come and go. Things that make them worse include

Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medicines, and light therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

See original here:
Psoriasis: MedlinePlus

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes areas of thickened, swollen, and red skin, often covered with silver scales.

In people without psoriasis, skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. This process is called cell turnover, and it takes about a month. With psoriasis, it can happen in just a few days because the cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface.

This disease affects 2 percent to 2.6 percent of the United States population, or between 5.8 and 7.5 million people. Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults. Sometimes there is a family history of the disease. Certain genes have been linked to it, and men and women get psoriasis at about the same rate.

This condition begins in the immune system, mainly with a type of white blood cell called a T cell. T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. With psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake. They become so active that they set off other immune responses. This leads to swelling and fast turnover of skin cells.

People with this condition may notice that sometimes the skin gets better and sometimes it gets worse. Things that can cause your symptoms to worsen include:

More here:
Psoriasis - eMedTV: Health Information Brought To Life

What is psoriasis?Psoriasis is a common, chronic condition in which the skin develops red, itchy patches and thick, silvery scales. Autoimmunity is suspected as the core problem, and the course of the disease typically involves periods of symptom flares alternating with periods of remission. Psoriasis can range in severity from annoying to disabling.

What are the symptoms?The hallmark of psoriasis is the appearance of one or more small patches of thick skin on the elbow, knees or back. These areas are usually not painful, but they are readily visible and often embarrassing. The psychological toll can be quite severe, with disrupted social interactions and self-image issues frequently accompanying the disease.

There are five main types of psoriasis, each of which has specific symptoms:

Psoriasis can also cause psoriatic arthritis, which results in pitted, discolored nails and swollen, painful joints.

What are the causes?Psoriasis is considered by many to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune cells attack normal skin cells. The cells that are targeted are formed and grow below the skin, and normally rise to the skin's surface over the course of a month. In psoriasis, the growth rate of new cells is sped up, resulting in dead skin cells building up on the surface of the skin. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but may include a combination of genetics and environment. Certain factors appear to trigger episodes of psoriasis:

Who is likely to develop psoriasis?Psoriasis is usually diagnosed in those aged 10 to 40, and is most common in people with a family history of the disease. People with HIV/AIDS and children with recurring infections such as strep throat are also at higher risk. Being overweight increases the odds of developing inverse psoriasis.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?Physicians can often diagnose psoriasis by performing a physical exam and medical history. In some cases, the doctor may take a small skin sample (biopsy) to rule out similar conditions such as eczema.

What is the conventional treatment?The goals of conventional treatment for psoriasis are to control symptoms and prevent complications. Treatments depend on the severity of the condition and include:

What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for psoriasis?In addition to the measures described above, which may be necessary in severe cases, Dr. Weil recommends the following approaches to psoriasis:

See the rest here:
Psoriasis - Dr. Weil's Condition Care Guide

Our Approach to deal with Psoriasis

Skin inflammation is a sign that toxins are inside your body. It appears externally because your skin is the largest and only visible organ. In the case of serious skin problems, external treatment with a cream is not sufficient. The better approach is to detoxify your body because it then expels the toxins from inside and prevents the problems from recurring.

The Psoriaid Herbal Tablet was designed by Dr. Li for all types of psoriasis. This alternative herbal psoriasis treatment has been used in her clinic for over 15 years. The formula contains 13 natural herbs which act together to detoxify the body's system to control the skin inflammation and balance the immune system to prevent lesions from appearing. *

The Psoriaid Herbal Tablet is a safe and effective herbal psoriasis remedy. There are no known side effects and it is made in USA by a GMP certified factory. *

After taking this product my skin is clearing up better than I've ever seen it. should I keep taking the pills even if it's cleared up all the way? I started taking 5 pills twice a day and now I take 3 pills in the morning and 2 pills at night.... **

more testimonials

For people who live in the San Francisco Bay area, please call 650-588-8335 to make appointment with Dr. Li.

Otherwise, you can take advantage of our free Online Psoriasis Treatment Consultation

Read more:
Natural Psoriasis Treatment | All Natural Treatments For ...

What Is Psoriasis? What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin disease. A person with psoriasis generally has elevated plaques of raised red skin covered with thick silvery scales. Psoriasis is usually found on the elbows, knees, and scalp but can often affect the legs, trunk, and nails. Psoriasis may be found on any part of the skin.

Psoriasis is not an infection and therefore is not contagious. Touching the affected skin and then touching someone else will not transmit psoriasis. However, the red scaly skin can become infected, especially when there are fissures.

The immune system plays a key role in psoriasis. In psoriasis, a certain subset of T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) abnormally trigger inflammation in the skin as well as other parts of the body. These T cells produce chemicals that cause skin cells to multiply abnormally quickly, as well as producing changes in small skin blood vessels, which result ultimately an elevated scaling plaque of psoriasis.

Psoriasis has a genetic basis and can be inherited. Some people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. Just because a person has genes that would make him more likely to have psoriasis doesn't mean he will have the disease. About one-third of people with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease. Certain factors trigger psoriasis to flare up in those who have the genes.

Environmental factors such as smoking, sunburns, streptococcal sore throat, and alcoholism may affect psoriasis by increasing the frequency of flares. Injury to the skin has been known to trigger psoriasis. For example, a skin infection, skin inflammation, or even excessive scratching can trigger psoriasis. A number of medications have been shown to aggravate psoriasis.

Psoriasis flare-ups can last for weeks or months. Psoriasis can go away for a time and then return.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis and is characterized by red skin covered with silvery scales and inflammation. Plaques of psoriasis vary in shape and frequently itch or burn.

Approximately 1%-2% of people in the United States, or about 5.5 million, have plaque psoriasis. Up to 10% of people with plaque psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation in their joints that could result in permanent joint damage if not treated aggressively. Recent information indicates that most patients with psoriasis are also predisposed to obesity, diabetes, and early cardiovascular diseases. It is now becoming apparent that psoriasis is not just a skin disease but can have widespread systemic effects.

Sometimes plaque psoriasis can evolve into more severe disease, such as pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis. In pustular psoriasis, the red areas on the skin contain blisters with pus. In erythrodermic psoriasis, a wide area of red and scaling skin is typical, and it may be itchy and uncomfortable.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/16/2015

Continued here:
What Is Psoriasis? Pictures of This Common Skin Condition

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis, either alone or with methotrexate.

STELARA is a 45 mg or 90 mg injection given under the skin as directed by your doctor at weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. It is administered by a healthcare provider or self-injected only after proper training.

STELARA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL-12)Proteins that increase the growth and function of white blood cells, which are found in your immune system. and interleukin 23 (IL-23)Proteins that increase the growth and function of white blood cells, which are found in your immune system. are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. It is not known if people who take STELARA will get any of these infections because of the effects of STELARA on these proteins.

Cancers

STELARA may decrease the activity of your immune systemA system inside the body that protects against germs and infections. and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)

RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.

Serious Allergic Reactions

Serious allergic reactions can occur. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash.

Before receiving STELARA, tell your doctor if you:

When prescribed STELARA:

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide for STELARA, and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

Requires Adobe Reader. Click here to download.

003172-130920

Original post:
Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options STELARA

Menter A, Gottlieb A, Feldman SR, Voorhees ASV, Leonardi CL, Gordon KB, et al. Guidelines for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 1. Overview of psoriasis and guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with biologics.J Am Acad Dermatol

Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, Feldman SR, Gelfand JM, Gordon KB, et al. American Academy of Dermatology guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies.J Am Acad Dermatol

Menter A, Korman NJ, Elments CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy.J Am Acad Dermatol. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19811850

Psoriasis. Alvero R, Ferri FF, Fort GG, et al, eds. In:Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015.

Stern RS. Psoralen and ultraviolet a light therapy for psoriasis.N Engl J Med.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17699818

Weigle N, McBane S. Psoriasis.Am Fam Physician.

Go here to see the original:
Psoriasis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Evidence reviews Treatments for guttate psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaly pink patches. Guttate psoriasis is a particular form of the disease that usually affects children and young adults. It can happen on its own, or as a complication of ordinary (chronic plaque) psoriasis. Often, it follows a bacterial throat infection or tonsillitis. Antibiotics and tonsillectomy as treatments for guttate psoriasis are covered by another review. This review could find no evidence, from trials, about the effects of any other commonly used treatments for guttate psoriasis.

Psoriasis, a disease which produces scaly pink patches on the skin, often gets worse after a bacterial throat infection or tonsillitis. When someone with psoriasis has a throat infection, antibiotics are sometimes used in an attempt to prevent this from happening. For people with psoriasis and repeated throat infections tonsillectomy is sometimes recommended. The review found no evidence from trials that either antibiotics or tonsillectomy are helpful for people with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease with a prevalence in 2% to 3% of the population, according to European studies. Involvement of the nails occurs in about 50%. Nail psoriasis is difficult to treat, but may respond to some treatments. We aimed to review the efficacy and safety of the treatments used for nail psoriasis.

See all (141)

First off: psoriasis is not contagious. Typical symptoms include clearly defined red, scaly patches of skin, often accompanied by itching. This condition typically starts in adulthood, and comes and goes in cycles of flare-ups and symptom-free phases. There are many treatment options.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaly pink patches. Guttate psoriasis is a particular form of the disease that usually affects children and young adults. It can happen on its own, or as a complication of ordinary (chronic plaque) psoriasis. Often, it follows a bacterial throat infection or tonsillitis. Antibiotics and tonsillectomy as treatments for guttate psoriasis are covered by another review. This review could find no evidence, from trials, about the effects of any other commonly used treatments for guttate psoriasis.

Psoriasis, a disease which produces scaly pink patches on the skin, often gets worse after a bacterial throat infection or tonsillitis. When someone with psoriasis has a throat infection, antibiotics are sometimes used in an attempt to prevent this from happening. For people with psoriasis and repeated throat infections tonsillectomy is sometimes recommended. The review found no evidence from trials that either antibiotics or tonsillectomy are helpful for people with psoriasis.

See all (26)

See the article here:
Psoriasis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, although it's more common in people between the ages of 15 and 35, according to theNational Psoriasis Foundation. If you have psoriasis, your skin cells grow faster than normal.

Newly diagnosed with psoriasis? Long-time patients have some empowering words for you

The body naturally develops new skin cells every month to replace skin that sheds or flakes off. With psoriasis, new skin cells form within days rather than weeks. This rapid growth causes dead skin cells to accumulate on the skins surface, resulting in thick patches of red, dry, and itchy skin.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition, but symptoms may improve over time.

Psoriasis can occur on the scalp, nails, and joints. In the United States, about 7.5 million people have psoriasis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The five types of psoriasis include the following.

This common form of psoriasis causes raised, red patches on the skin. Skin patches can be itchy and painful.

This type of psoriasis can start in childhood or young adulthood.

This type of psoriasis causes red lesions in body folds.

This type causes white blisters and red skin.

This rare inflammatory type of psoriasis can develop over the entire body. Symptoms include widespread redness, pain, and severe itching.

Read the original post:
Psoriasis: Symptoms, Pictures, Causes, and Treatments

Psoriasis Psoriasis Overview

Psoriasis is a common and chronic incurable but treatable skin disorder. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form and appears as elevated plaques of red skin covered with silvery scale that may itch or burn. The involved areas are usually found on the arms, legs, trunk, or scalp but may be found on any part of the skin. The most typical areas are the knees, elbows, and lower back.

Factors such as smoking, sunburn, alcoholism, and HIV infection may prolong the severity and extent of the condition.

A significantpercentage of people with plaque psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation in their joints and may have other arthritic symptoms. Sometimes plaque psoriasis can evolve into more inflammatory disease, such as pustular psoriasis or erythrodermic psoriasis. In pustular psoriasis, the red areas on the skin contain small blisters filled with pus. In erythrodermic psoriasis, extensive areas of red and scaling skin are present.

Psoriasis affects children and adults. Men and woman are affected equally. Females develop plaque psoriasis earlier in life than males. The first peak occurrence of plaque psoriasis is in people 16-22 years of age. The second peak is in people 57-60 years of age.

Psoriasis can affect all races. Studies have shown that more people in western European and Scandinavian populations have psoriasis than those in other population groups.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 6/5/2015

More here:
Psoriasis: Symptoms, Treatment, Diet and Medications

What Is Psoriasis?

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type you have. Some common symptoms for plaque psoriasis -- the most common variety of the condition -- include:

Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which leads to pain and swelling in the joints. The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that between 10% to 30% of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

Other forms of psoriasis include:

Pustular psoriasis , characterized by red and scaly skin on the palms of the hands and/or feet with tiny pustules

Guttate psoriasis, which often starts in childhood or young adulthood, is characterized by small, red spots, mainly on the torso and limbs. Triggers may be respiratory infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin, and use of anti-malarial and beta-blocker medications.

Inverse psoriasis, characterized by bright red, shiny lesions that appear in skin folds, such as the armpits, groin area, and under the breasts

Erythrodermic psoriasis, characterized by periodic, fiery redness of the skin and shedding of scales in sheets; this form of psoriasis, triggered by withdrawal from a systemic psoriasis treatment, severe sunburn, infection, and certain medications, requires immediate medical treatment, because it can lead to severe illness.

People who suffer from psoriasis know that this uncomfortable and at times disfiguring skin disease can be difficult and frustrating to treat. The condition comes and goes in cycles of remissions and flare-ups over a lifetime. While there are medications and other therapies that can help to clear up the patches of red, scaly, thickened skin that are the hallmark of psoriasis, there is no cure.

Originally posted here:
Psoriasis - Symptoms, Triggers, and Causes of Psoriasis on ...

October 2013

This publication contains general information about psoriasis. It describes what psoriasis is, what causes it, and what the treatment options are. If you have further questions after reading this publication, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor.

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects greater than 3 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 5 million adults. Although the disease occurs in all age groups, it primarily affects adults. It appears about equally in males and females.

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days.

In its typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch or feel sore. They most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues of the genitals, and inside the mouth. Although it is not unusual for the skin around affected joints to crack, some people with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

Individuals with psoriasis may experience significant physical discomfort and some disability. Itching and pain can interfere with basic functions, such as self-care, walking, and sleep. Plaques on hands and feet can prevent individuals from working at certain occupations, playing some sports, and caring for family members or a home. The frequency of medical care is costly and can interfere with an employment or school schedule. People with moderate to severe psoriasis may feel self-conscious about their appearance and have a poor self-image that stems from fear of public rejection and concerns about intimate relationships. Psychological distress can lead to significant depression and social isolation.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder driven by the immune system, especially involving a type of white blood cell called a T cell. Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. In the case of psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake and become so active that they trigger other immune responses, which lead to inflammation and to rapid turnover of skin cells.

In many cases, there is a family history of psoriasis. Researchers have studied a large number of families affected by psoriasis and identified genes linked to the disease. Genes govern every bodily function and determine the inherited traits passed from parent to child.

People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, called flares, then improves. Conditions that may cause flares include infections, stress, and changes in climate that dry the skin. Also, certain medicines, including beta-blockers, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, and lithium may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. Sometimes people who have psoriasis notice that lesions will appear where the skin has experienced trauma. The trauma could be from a cut, scratch, sunburn, or infection.

Occasionally, doctors may find it difficult to diagnose psoriasis, because it often looks like other skin diseases. It may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis by examining a small skin sample under a microscope.

Read the original:
Questions and Answers About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.

Psoriasis affects around 2% of people in the UK. It can start at any age, but most often develops in adults under 35 years old. The condition affects men and women equally.

The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some people it's just a minor irritation, but for others it can havea major impact on their quality of life.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms ormild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe.

Read more about the symptoms of psoriasis.

People with psoriasis have anincreased production of skin cells.

Skin cells are normallymade and replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days. The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis.

Although the process isn't fully understood, it's thoughtto be related to a problem with the immune system. The immune systemis your body's defence against disease and infection, but for people with psoriasis, it attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.

Psoriasis can run in families,although the exact role that genetics plays in causing psoriasis is unclear.

See more here:
Psoriasis - NHS Choices

Introduction

Psoriasis is a common skin condition where people have a buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells. They look like raised, reddish-pink areas covered with silvery scales and red borders.

Psoriasis usually occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, groin, and lower back. It is a long-lasting or chronic disease that "comes and goes," and may show up as a few spots, or involve large areas. It is not contagious. You can't spread it from one part of your body to another, or from person to person.

More than 6 million people in the United States have psoriasis. You can develop psoriasis at any age, though it tends to come on during adolescence and old age. It usually comes on gradually, in both men and women. Doctors think psoriasis may be an inherited disease that can be triggered by emotional stress.

Most cases are not painful, although severe ones can be. About 5% of people with psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis, a serious condition that involves painful and swollen joints.

The following are symptoms of psoriasis:

Researchers don't know what causes psoriasis. They do know that people who have it make more skin cells than normal. A faulty immune system seems to be involved. In people with psoriasis, T-cells (a kind of white blood cell) mistakenly attack skin cells. The new skin cells move to the outer layer of the skin too quickly, where they build up and form thick patches.

There seems to be a genetic component. You are more likely to develop psoriasis if a close relative also has the condition. Several underlying factors may trigger the condition or flare ups, including:

Your doctor will examine your skin and ask questions about your physical and emotional health. You may need a blood test to check levels of calcium, zinc, and certain other elements, and a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Your doctor may suggest one or several different treatment options, including:

Originally posted here:
Psoriasis | University of Maryland Medical Center

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get the patches on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. Some people who have psoriasis also get a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.

A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.

Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. Your doctor might need to look at a small skin sample under a microscope.

Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime. Symptoms come and go. Things that make them worse include

Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medicines, and light therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Original post:
Psoriasis: MedlinePlus - National Library of Medicine