What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition which causes unique signs and symptoms to its sufferers. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis develop a related form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation of the joints. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life and controlling the symptoms potentially requires lifelong therapy. Regardless of the type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort as the skin often itches and may crack and bleed. In severe causes of psoriasis the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night and may make everyday tasks more challenging.

More than 4 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with psoriasis and over 150,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Psoriasis occurs equally between men and women and recent studies have shown that there may be an ethnic link to the cause. Studies show that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians and less common in African Americans and even far less common among Asians and Native Americans. There is also a genetic component associated with psoriasis as most people who develop the disease have at least one family member with the condition. Signs and symptoms of psoriasis typically appear between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age and often develop before the age of 40. Regardless, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age.

Psoriasis is considered to be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions. Scientists do not fully understand what causes psoriasis regardless of advanced research advancing the understanding of the disease. Researchers do believe that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition which means the condition is caused by faulty signals within the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to overreact and accelerate the growth of skin cells. When psoriasis develops, the skin cells mature in 3 to 6 days. They then move up to the skin surface. Rather than being shed, the skin cells pile up which causes visible lesions.

Researchers have identified genes which cause psoriasis. These genes determine how a person’s immune system reacts and may either cause psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Risks of developing psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition increase when a close blood relative also has psoriasis. Some people who have a family history of psoriasis never develop this condition. However, stress, skin injuries, a strep infection, sunburn or certain medications may trigger psoriasis.

All types of psoriasis, whether mild or severe, can affect a person’s quality of life. This lifelong condition can be both physically and emotionally challenging. Itching, soreness, and cracked bleeding skin are quite common with psoriasis. Studies have shown that people with psoriasis often feel frustrated as the disease may limit activities or make it difficult to perform certain job responsibilities. Over 20% of people living with mild to severe psoriasis have been forced to change or discontinue their normal daily activities. With the emergence of several new therapies more people are experiencing substantial improvements and reporting an improved quality of life.


	What Is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition which causes unique signs and symptoms to its sufferers. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis develop a related form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation of the joints. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life and controlling the symptoms potentially requires lifelong therapy. Regardless of the type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort as the skin often itches and may crack and bleed. In severe causes of psoriasis the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night and may make everyday tasks more challenging. More than 4 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with psoriasis and over 150,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Psoriasis occurs equally between men and women and recent studies have shown that there may be an ethnic link to the cause. Studies show that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians and less common in African Americans and even far less common among Asians and Native Americans. There is also a genetic component associated with psoriasis as most people who develop the disease have at least one family member with the condition. Signs and symptoms of psoriasis typically appear between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age and often develop before the age of 40. Regardless, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. Psoriasis is considered to be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions. Scientists do not fully understand what causes psoriasis regardless of advanced research advancing the understanding of the disease. Researchers do believe that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition which means the condition is caused by faulty signals within the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to overreact and accelerate the growth of skin cells. When psoriasis develops, the skin cells mature in 3 to 6 days. They then move up to the skin surface. Rather than being shed, the skin cells pile up which causes visible lesions. Researchers have identified genes which cause psoriasis. These genes determine how a person’s immune system reacts and may either cause psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Risks of developing psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition increase when a close blood relative also has psoriasis. Some people who have a family history of psoriasis never develop this condition. However, stress, skin injuries, a strep infection, sunburn or certain medications may trigger psoriasis. All types of psoriasis, whether mild or severe, can affect a person’s quality of life. This lifelong condition can be both physically and emotionally challenging. Itching, soreness, and cracked bleeding skin are quite common with psoriasis. Studies have shown that people with psoriasis often feel frustrated as the disease may limit activities or make it difficult to perform certain job responsibilities. Over 20% of people living with mild to severe psoriasis have been forced to change or discontinue their normal daily activities. With the emergence of several new therapies more people are experiencing substantial improvements and reporting an improved quality of life. Acne Psoriasis All You Want To Know About Psoriatic Arthritis Alternative Treatments For Psoriasis Answers To Some Of The Most Asked Questions About Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments For Psorasis Cures For Psoriasis Curious About Psoriasis? Depression And Psoriasis Early Death And Severe Psoriasis Facts About Psoriasis Finding All You Can About Psoriasis Information About Psoriasis For The Newly Diagnosed Living With Psoriasis Living With Psoriatic Arthritis Minimizing Psoriasis Flare-ups Natural Ways To Relieve Psoriasis Prevention Of Psoriasis Psoriasis And Children Psoriasis And Heart Disease Psoriasis And Its Causes Psoriasis And Other Skin Disorders Psoriasis And Phototherapy Programs Psoriasis And Scaling Diseases Psoriasis And Your Body Parts Psoriasis And Your Child Psoriasis And Your Child Psoriasis Eczema Psoriasis In Adults Psoriasis Statistics Psoriasis - What You Should Know Psoriasis Is A Skin Disorder Which Is A Chronic And Recurring Condition That Varies In Severity From Minor Localized Patches To Completely Covering The Body. Psoriasis Is A Disease Which Commonly Affects The Skin And Joints And Causes Red Scaly Patches To Appear. These Scaly Patches, Called Psoriatic Plaques, Are Areas Of Inflammation And Excessive Skin Production And Commonly Take On A Silvery White Appearance. Psoriatic Skin Plaques Frequently Occur On The Skin Of The Knees And Elbows, But May Affect Any Area Including The Scalp. Psoriasis Is Believed To Be Non-contagious And Is Immune-mediated. Psoriasis Is A Lifelong Condition And There Is Currently No Cure However There Are Various Treatment Options Which Can Help To Control The Symptoms. Psoriasis Does Tend To Get Worse Over Time, But It Is Not Possible To Predict Who Will Go On To Develop Extensive Psoriasis Or Those In Whom The Disease May Appear To Vanish. Psoriatic Arthritis Relating To Someone With Psoriasis Scalp Psoriasis Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis Skin Cell Psoriasis Specific Psoriasis Treatments Surviving The Seasons With Psoriasis Surviving The Teen Years With Psoriasis Symptoms And Triggers Associated With Psoriasis The Emotional Toll Of Psoriasis The Facts Of Psoriasis The Many Different Psoriasis Treatments Treating Psoriasis Treatment Choices For Psoriasis Treatment Options For Psoriasis Triggers That Start Psoriasis Flare-ups Vary Types Of Psoriasis Understanding Psoriasis Understanding The Terms Your Doctor May Use When Discussing Psoriasis Understanding What Psoriasis Means To You Understanding Your Psoriasis What Are The Causes Of Psoriasis? What Can I Do To Prevent My Next Psoriasis Flare-up? What Causes Psoriasis? What Do You Know About Psoriasis? What Is Psoriasis? What Is Psoriatic Arthritis? Your Lifestyle And Psoriasis Youth With Psoriasis
Vasectomy Weightloss Acupuncture Aids Yoga Vegetarian Acne Allergies Alcohol Alternative Health Anger Management Anxiety Aromatherapy Autism Breast Feeding Back Pain Chiropractic Colon Cleanse Care Home Cholesterol Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Cellulite Contraception Birth Defects Cosmetic Surgery Death Cystic Depression Dental Health Diabetes Digestive Down Syndrome Eczema Eating Disorders Eye Surgery Elderly Depression Flu Food Cures Hairloss Gum Disease Hangover Halitosis Head Lice Healthy Aging Heart Disease Hemmarroids Hepatitis Hpv Hormone Replacement Therapy Herbal Infection Control Incontinence Impotence Irritable Bowel Syndrome Hypnosis Infertility Massage Therapy Lupus Multiple Sclerosis Mrsa Menopause Natural Healing Nutrition Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Osteoporosis Pain Parkinsons Parenting Prostate Psoriasis Reflexology Reiki Psychiatry Repetitive Strain Injuries Reiki Healing Retirement Rosacea Smoking Snoring Spiritual Healing Stress Stretchmarks Travel Health Varicose X-Rays