Published: January, 2015

Psoriasis begins when certain areas of skin produce new skin cells much more rapidly than normal, causing a thickening and scaling of the skin.

The scaly, red patches of skin caused by psoriasis affect men and women of all ages. They can erupt anywhere on the body, clear up for months at a time, and then reappear.

Although the exact causes of psoriasis are not known, the immune system is involved and heredity may play a role; at least 1 of 3 people with psoriasis has an immediate relative with the disease.

Psoriasis can be triggered by a strep throat infection, heavy alcohol consumption, stress, some medicines (such as beta blockers and lithium), injury to the skin, and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Psoriasis appears as reddish patches of skin covered with silvery scales; they may or may not cause discomfort.

There are several types of psoriasis:

Among people with psoriasis, 1 in 7 develop psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints.

The typical skin and nail changes of this disorder are often all that are needed to make a diagnosis. When skin symptoms aren't typical, your doctor may recommend that you have a skin biopsy, in which a small sample of skin is removed and examined in a laboratory. The biopsy can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible skin disorders.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. However, there are many treatments available to help keep it from getting worse, or flaring up. Treatment depends on the type, its location, and how widespread it is.

These are treatments applied directly to the skin. They include:

Extensive or widespread psoriasis may be treated with light (phototherapy). A treatment called PUVA combines ultraviolet A light treatment with an oral medication that improves the effectiveness of the light treatment.

Laser treatment also can be used. It allows treatment to be more focused so higher amounts of UV light can be used.

These are used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis involving large areas of the body. These treatments are very powerful. Some have the potential to cause severe side effects, so it is essential to understand the risks and be monitored closely.

These drugs work by suppressing the immune system. They are used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis involving large areas of the body.

Anticancer drugs like methotrexate are sometimes used to treat severe psoriasis.

Biologic drugs, or biologics, target specific parts of the immune system. They block the action of a specific type of immune cell called a T cell, or block proteins in the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or inflammatory proteins known as interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. These cells and proteins all play a major role in developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Biologics are given by injection or intravenous infusion. They include

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Psoriasis - Harvard Health