Psoriasis

Psoriasis

• What is psoriasis?
• What causes psoriasis?
• How is psoriasis diagnosed?
• What treatments are available for psoriasis?
• What are some promising areas of psoriasis research?
• How can people contribute to psoriasis research?
• Where can people get more information about psoriasis?
• Psoriasis At A Glance
• Related psoriasis articles:
  Psoriasis - on WebMD

What is psoriasis?

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

Psoriasis affects 2 to 2.6 percent of the United States population, or almost 5.8 to 7 million people. It occurs in all age groups and about equally in men and women. People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, restricted motion of joints, and emotional distress.

When psoriasis develops, patches of skin thicken, redden, and become covered with silvery scales. These patches are sometimes referred to as plaques. They may itch or burn. The skin at joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. The disease also may affect the fingernails, toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitalia. About 10 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is not contagious in any way. It is not possible to "catch" psoriasis by touching a person afflicted with it.

What causes psoriasis?

Research indicates that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. The immune system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that psoriasis is related to an abnormal immune system that produces too many of the immune cells, called T cells, in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. This leads to inflammation and flaking of skin.

In some cases, psoriasis is inherited. Researchers are studying large families affected by psoriasis to identify a gene or genes associated with the disease. (Genes govern every body function and determine inherited traits that are passed from parent to child.)

People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flare-ups include changes in climate, infections, stress, and dry skin. Also, certain medicines, such as the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin and medicines used to treat high blood pressure or depression, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article.htm