Skin/Autoimmune

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the skin cell life cycle, causing cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that can be itchy and sometimes painful. Psoriasis tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding.

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Symptoms

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Causes

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Treatments

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Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Psoriasis. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
  • Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
  • Itching, burning, or soreness
  • Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
  • Swollen and stiff joints (psoriatic arthritis)

Causes

  • Autoimmune — immune system triggers overproduction of skin cells
  • Genetic factors (family history in ~30%)
  • Triggers: stress, smoking, alcohol, infections, certain medications

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination of skin, scalp, nails
  • Biopsy (rarely needed)

Treatment

  • Topical treatments (corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, retinoids)
  • Light therapy (UVB phototherapy, PUVA)
  • Systemic treatments (methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids)
  • Biologic drugs (TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors)

Risk Factors

  • Family history
  • Stress
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications
  • Infections (streptococcal)

Prevention

  • Moisturize skin
  • Avoid triggers (stress, skin injury, infection)
  • Don't smoke
  • Limit alcohol

Prevalence

About 7.5 million Americans are affected by psoriasis.

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