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Psoriasis

Condition Overview:

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation. Scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of the skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface.

Psoriasis begins most often in people aged 10 to 40, although people in all age groups are susceptible.It usually starts as one or more small patches on the scalp, elbows, knees, back, or buttocks. The first patches may clear up after a few months or remain, sometimes growing together to form larger patches. Some people never have more than one or two small patches, and others have patches covering large areas of the body. Thick patches or patches on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or skinfolds of the genitals are more likely to itch or hurt, but many times the person has no symptoms. Although the patches do not cause extreme physical discomfort, they are very obvious and often embarrassing to the person. The psychologic distress caused by psoriasis can be severe. Many people with psoriasis also have deformed, thickened, pitted nails.

Psoriasis persists throughout life but may come and go. Symptoms are often diminished during the summer when the skin is exposed to bright sunlight. Some people may go for years between occurrences. Psoriasis may flare up for no apparent reason or as a result of a variety of circumstances. Flare-ups often result from conditions that irritate the skin, such as minor injuries and severe sunburn. Sometimes flare-ups follow infections, such as colds and strep throat. Flare-ups are more common in the winter and after stressful situations.

Some uncommon types of psoriasis can have more serious effects. Psoriatic arthritis produces joint pain and swelling (see Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Types of Inflammatory Arthritis: Psoriatic Arthritis). Erythrodermic psoriasis causes all of the skin on the body to become red and scaly. This form of psoriasis is serious because, like a burn, it keeps the skin from serving as a protective barrier against injury and infection.

In another uncommon form of psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, large and small pus-filled blisters (pustules) form on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sometimes, these pustules are scattered on the body.