Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Pain, itching, and burning are common symptoms. Psoriasis is not an infection and therefore is not contagious.
There are several forms, or types, of psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.
According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. Its cause is not known, but certain genes are suspected to play a role in developing the disease. Although a cure is not yet available, many treatments are available to help control your psoriasis. Your doctor can help identify which treatment is right for you, keeping in mind that what works for one patient might not work for another.
