National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
This U.S. government website provides well-organized information about psoriasis and can help you prepare questions to ask your doctor.
Psoriasis
Soothing relief for red, itchy skin flare ups
Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin condition that appears as red patches covered by silvery scales. As an inflammatory disorder, psoriasis spreads when the immune system becomes too active.
Psoriasis is an acquired disorder. It is not contagious.
If you have psoriasis, your immune system is overactive and signals to skin cells to multiply rapidly, causing the red, scaly lesions. The most common places where plaques appear include the elbows, knees, scalp, although anywhere on the body can be affected. Psoriasis plaques often don’t cause any symptoms, but they can sometimes be itchy or painful.
Psoriasis can have periods of flares in response to certain medications or infections. Approximately 25 percent of those with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiffness, pain, or swelling in the joints.
Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an acquired disorder. It is not contagious.
If you have psoriasis, your immune system is overactive and signals to skin cells to multiply rapidly, causing the red, scaly lesions. The most common places where plaques appear include the elbows, knees, scalp, although anywhere on the body can be affected. Psoriasis plaques often don’t cause any symptoms, but they can sometimes be itchy or painful.
Psoriasis can have periods of flares in response to certain medications or infections. Approximately 25 percent of those with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiffness, pain, or swelling in the joints.
Your physician will examine your skin in order to determine if you have psoriasis. Sometimes a biopsy (small sample of tissue) needs to be taken to confirm or rule out psoriasis.
Diagnosis
Your physician will examine your skin in order to determine if you have psoriasis. Sometimes a biopsy (small sample of tissue) needs to be taken to confirm or rule out psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune skin disease that is controllable, but not curable. Treatments for psoriasis vary according to the seriousness of your condition and may include topicals, Light Treatment, pills, or injectable biologics. There are many FDA approved treatments that can significantly improve the quality of life of patients who have psoriasis.
Part of your treatment also includes learning and adapting to new routines that help control the plaques. Psoriasis is not curable, but our treatments can help you minimize its effects on your life.
Treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune skin disease that is controllable, but not curable. Treatments for psoriasis vary according to the seriousness of your condition and may include topicals, Light Treatment, pills, or injectable biologics. There are many FDA approved treatments that can significantly improve the quality of life of patients who have psoriasis.
Part of your treatment also includes learning and adapting to new routines that help control the plaques. Psoriasis is not curable, but our treatments can help you minimize its effects on your life.
National Psoriasis Foundation
This website contains information about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There are also updates on current research and a database of clinical trials.
Resources
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
This U.S. government website provides well-organized information about psoriasis and can help you prepare questions to ask your doctor.
National Psoriasis Foundation
This website contains information about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There are also updates on current research and a database of clinical trials.