Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is when you have too many skin cells. It is caused by your immune system causing the skin cells to grow too quickly. Instead of your new skin growing in weeks, it is creating new cells in days. This is causing the skin cells to pile up on surface instead of shedding off and being replaced.

Types of Psoriasis:

  • Plaque psoriasis is characterized by raised patches of skin, usually on knees and elbows.
  • Guttate psoriasis patients have small, red spots primarily on their limbs or core.
  • Inverse psoriasis causes smooth, red, sore patches to develop where skin rubs together.
  • Pustular psoriasis can cause red, swollen skin with pus-filled bump. These can also be painful or sore at the location of the bump.
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis patients have skin that looks burned. They may feel hot or cold or have a heartbeat that is faster than normal.

Who gets Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can affect any age, but usually begins between age 15 and 30.

What causes psoriasis?

This is not a contagious condition. Doctors are still learning about it. They know that the immune system and a patient’s genes play important roles in who is affected by psoriasis. A patient must inherit a specific mix of genes and then be exposed to a trigger such as stressful event, strep throat, or cold dry weather for psoriasis to begin.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a skin condition as psoriasis, the affected area will be examined. Your dermatologist will ask about your family history in relation to psoriasis. It is possible that the doctor will remove some of skin to examine using a microscope

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