psoriasis
Get information on psoriasis causes, treatment, medication, and types: scalp, vulgaris, guttate, inverse, and pustular. Red dry flakes, skin scales, and plaques of raised skin are common symptoms and signs. Learn how one's diet impacts psoriasis, and find out if it's contagious
OVERVIEW
Psoriasis is a non-contagious inflammatory disease. The main symptoms are reddish, scaly patches of skin that may itch.
It is a chronic condition that is typically associated with periods of more severe skin problems (flare-ups) 
followed by periods of milder skin problems or none at all. Various treatments can relieve the symptoms, but there is no cure for psoriasis.
Its severity can vary quite a lot. In some people it is bothersome more than anything else, and they can cope with it quite well. Others feel that it has a major effect on their quality of life, since the treatment and skin care can take a long time. Many people are also unhappy about having visible reddened and scaly skin patches – especially if they are on exposed areas of their body.
Sometimes the inflammation that is causing the psoriasis affects other parts of the body too, such as the joints or nails.
Symptoms :Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) There are different kinds of psoriasis. The most common is plaque psoriasis. This condition is associated with clearly defined areas of slightly raised red patches with silvery, flaky skin. The patches of skin are referred to as "plaques," which is why it is called "plaque psoriasis." The plaques often develop symmetrically on both sides of the body, for example on both the left and right knee. They usually itch as well. The skin is often irritated from scratching, and it may be damaged.
The size of the plaques varies greatly, ranging from anywhere between one and more than ten centimeters in diameter. Some people have only a few plaques on certain parts of their body, for example only on their scalp. Others may have more, either on one part of their body or in several places.
The skin on the hands and feet can become very dry and crack. This can be very painful – especially if the cracked skin stretches when you move, comes into contact with irritants like citric acid, or bumps into something.
Plaque psoriasis can basically develop anywhere on the body. The head, elbows, knees and back are commonly affected. Plaques also often occur behind the ears and on the hands, feet and belly button.
Less commonly, they can also occur in skin folds such as the creases of skin in the groin or between the buttocks, under the armpits, in the genital area or under and between the breasts in women. That kind of psoriasis is called inverse (flexural) psoriasis. It is often less scaly because the skin in these areas generally isn't as dry and there is constant friction so not many plaques develop.
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About
Get information on psoriasis causes, treatment, medication, and types: scalp, vulgaris, guttate, inverse, and pustular. Red dry flakes, skin scales, and plaques of raised skin are common symptoms and signs. Learn how one's diet impacts psoriasis, and find out if it's contagious.
Symtoms
Common signs and symptoms include: Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales. Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children) Dry, cracked skin that may bleed. Itching,burning or soreness. Thickened, pitted or ridged nails. Swollen and stiff joints and find out.
Causes
While cause of psoriasis isn't fully understood,scientists believe psoriasis is the result of several factors - immune system. When you have psoriasis, your immune system isoveractive. This creates inflammation inside the body, which causes the symptoms on the skin.
Treatments
Get information on psoriasis causes, treatment, medication, and types: scalp, vulgaris, guttate, inverse, and pustular. Red dry flakes, skin scales, and plaques of raised skin are common symptoms and signs. Learn how one's diet impacts psoriasis, and find out if it's contagious.
