Psoriasis Health Center

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects greater than 3 percent of the United States population, or more than 5 million adults. Although the disease occurs in all age groups, it primarily affects adults. It appears about equally in males and females.

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days.

In its typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch or feel sore. 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. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues of the genitals, and inside the mouth. Although it is not unusual for the skin around affected joints to crack, about 30 percent of those with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

Review Date: 
May 16, 2012
Last Updated:
July 2, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com