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.

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Psoriasis: Symptoms, Pictures, Causes, and Treatments