Psoriasis – Better Health Channel

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. It is not contagious. Symptoms include red scaly patches on skin, itchiness and flaking of the skin. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and may cause arthritis (psoriatic arthritis). About 10 per cent of affected people have all three.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be well controlled with treatment.

Around 30 per cent of people affected by psoriasis will be able to identify relatives who have or have had psoriasis. A number of genes with psoriasis susceptibility have been identified recently.

Environmental events can trigger episodes of psoriasis in people with an inherited susceptibility to the condition. These may include:

The areas that are most commonly affected are the scalp, elbows and knees, but skin psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body.

Symptoms of skin psoriasis vary from person to person. The effects may include:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Sinclair Dermatology

Last updated: November 2014

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Psoriasis - Better Health Channel