Overview

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some it's just a minor irritation, but for others it can majorly affect their quality of life.

Most people who get psoriasis have it for life. That’s true no matter what type of psoriasis you have, with one exception. Some children who have guttate (gut-tate) psoriasis see their psoriasis go away. Because psoriasis tends to be a life-long disease, it helps to learn about it and see a board-certified dermatologist.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) disease in which the immune system works too much, causing patches of skin to become scaly and inflamed.

What are the different types of psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis usually resolves, leaving hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation on colored skin, affecting the quality of life even after the disease has disappeared.

Plaques tend to vary in size. They may appear on the skin as a single patch or join together to cover a large area of skin. No matter the size, plaques tend to be itchy. Without treatment, the itch can become intense. Some people notice that their skin stings, burns, or feels painful and tight.

scalp psoriasis

This form of psoriasis usually appears as red patches with oily scales in areas of increased sebum production, such as the scalp, forehead, the skin folds near the nose, the skin around the mouth, the skin on the chest above the breastbone and the folds of skin.

Pustular psoriasis

It looks like white pustules or blisters of non-infectious pus surrounded by red skin and appears as small teardrop-shaped, red, scaly patches in children and young adults. 

Pustular psoriasis can either be localized or more widespread throughout the body. Two types of localized pustular psoriasis include psoriasis pustulosa palmoplantaris and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau; both forms are localized to the hands and feet.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis looks like small, pink dots or drops on the skin. The word guttate is from the Latin word "gutta," meaning drop. There tend to be fine scales with guttate psoriasis that are finer than the scales in plaque psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis is typically triggered by streptococcal infection and the outbreak will usually occur two to three weeks after having strep throat.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

Although thickened and dry skin patches are common, psoriasis can cause many symptoms and signs.The symptoms of psoriasis are usually obvious and can be easily distinguished from other diseases that may cause similar symptoms. The main symptoms of psoriasis are red, scaly, hard plaques, which may have silvery scales that peel off easily.

Most people notice psoriasis on their skin years before they develop psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include skin pain, itching and cracking. 

What causes psoriasis?

The cause of psoriasis is unknown; however, it is thought to be caused by abnormally fast-growing and shedding skin cells. The skin cells multiply quickly. This causes the skin to shed every 3 to 4 days. This may be caused by a trigger, such as injury, sunburn, certain classes of medicines, infection, stress, alcohol, or tobacco. Though not contagious, the condition is hereditary. Psoriasis often returns and can be more severe one time than another.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No, psoriasis is not contagious. People used to believe that psoriasis was the same as leprosy, but that is not the case. You cannot get psoriasis by touching, kissing, or having sex with someone who has psoriasis. People get psoriasis because of their genes, not their hygiene, diet, lifestyle, or any other habits.

How is psoriasis treated ?

There are many ways to treat psoriasis, and the treatment plan will depend on the type of condition and its severity. Most patients with psoriasis only experience minor skin damage, which can be effectively treated with topical treatments. 

In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids. Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.

If these are not effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used. Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light.

Takeaway

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get the patches on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body.

A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.

Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medicines, and light therapy.