Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that produces thick, pink to red, itchy areas of skin covered with silvery scales. These areas are called plaques. 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.

Psoriasis affects about 2 percent of the U.S. population. It occurs equally in males and females and most commonly starts between ages 15 and 35. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, many treatment options exist to control the symptoms.

Causes

The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed to have a genetic component. The disease affects about one percent of the U.S. population and occurs worldwide. Psoriasis is not contagious or infectious; it cannot be spread by touch from one person to another person or from one part of the body to another part of the body in an individual who has it.

Experts believe that T cells (a type of white blood cell) play a central role in its development: T cells normally travel through the body to defend against foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses, but when someone has psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune mediated disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. The causes of psoriasis are not completely understood, but it is believed to have a genetic component. The condition affects over 7 million people in the U.S. There are five types of psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis (also called psoriasis vulgaris)

Scalp psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis (small, drop-like spots)

Inverse psoriasis (in the folds like of the underarms, navel, groin, and buttocks)

Pustular psoriasis (widespread in tiny blisters filled with white blood cells)

Erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread reddening and scaling of the skin usually following a severe sunburn or following discontinuation of medications for other forms of psoriasis)

Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects as many as 125 million people worldwide. The condition causes skin cells to multiply at a rate that is much faster than normal. The result is thick patches of inflamed, flaky and sometimes itchy skin on the body. For some people, psoriasis is just a minor irritation. However, for others, it can have serious psychological effects.

What Are the Causes of Psoriasis?

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, doctors and scientists do not know what causes psoriasis. They agree that it is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks healthy skin cells. Specifically, the immune system produces too many T cells, which are designed to fight off infections. In people with psoriasis, these T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells and cause them to multiply at a rapid rate.

The following factors may also trigger flare-ups of psoriasis:

Infections like strep throat

Stress

Smoking and drinking alcohol

A reaction to certain medications

Dry air and cold weather (in rare cases)

Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease which is characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, itchy, and scaly. They may vary in severity from small and localized to complete body coverage. Injury to the skin can trigger psoriatic skin changes at that spot, which is known as the Koebner phenomenon.

Psoriasis is generally thought to be a genetic disease that is triggered by environmental factors. The underlying mechanism involves the immune system reacting to skin cells. There are five main types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, makes up about 90 percent of cases. It typically presents as red patches with white scales on top. Areas of the body most commonly affected are the back of the forearms, shins, navel area, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis has drop-shaped lesions. Pustular psoriasis presents as small non-infectious pus-filled blisters. Inverse psoriasis forms red patches in skin folds. Erythrodermic psoriasis occurs when the rash becomes very widespread, and can develop from any

Psoriasis is a skin disorder, in which person is disturbed with itching and scaling, red patches on the skin.

The skin cells that grow deep in the skin rise to the surface. Usually this rise takes about a month. In psoriasis, this production cycle only takes about three to four days. The result is that the body does not shed skin cells properly. The cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing patches of psoriasis to appear.

Psoriasis affects men and women equally and people of all ages can get it. It usually begins in adulthood, but children can get it too. Psoriasis is a chronic disease and there is no cure for it yet, but it can be managed using medications and lifestyle changes.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects the life cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease. There is no cure for psoriasis, but fortunately there are many ways to get relief from the symptoms.

Causes of Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. Researchers believe that psoriasis involves several factors:

Family History – having a family member with psoriasis increases your risk of developing it

Lifestyle Factors – diet, stress and alcohol consumption can affect immune system function and increase your risk for psoriasis

Infections – some infections such as strep throat can trigger an outbreak of psoriasis in people who already have the condition

Smoking – smokers have a higher risk of developing psoriasis than non-smokers do

Stress – emotional stress can impact your body’s immune system function and lead to an outbreak of psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin. It can occur at any age, but most often develops between 15 and 30 years of age. The symptoms include redness, scaling, inflammation and itching. Psoriasis usually starts with a single patch on the skin and can spread to other areas of the body.

Psoriasis is believed to be caused by a defect in the immune system that causes an overgrowth of skin cells. The cause of this defect is unknown, but it may be hereditary or related to stress or exposure to certain medications. There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be treated with medications that slow down the production of skin cells and reduce inflammation.

The main symptom of psoriasis is red, scaly patches on the skin that are covered with silvery scales. These patches are known as plaques. They are usually found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. Other symptoms include dry, cracked skin; swelling and stiffness in joints; anxiety and depression; and fatigue.

Psoriasis has two types: chronic and acute. Chronic psoriasis lasts for more than six months and may last for years or even a lifetime. Acute psoriasis lasts for less than six months. The symptoms