Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that manifests on the skin. When the immune system mistakenly activates skin cells to grow faster than they should, psoriasis is the result.
Significance
Approximately 7.5 million people in the United States are living with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
Types
There are five kinds of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most commonly diagnosed type is plaque psoriasis, making up 80 percent of the diagnoses.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the disease can vary but can include red patches of skin with silver-looking scales, dry and cracked skin prone to bleeding, itching or burning, swollen or stiff joints, and changes in fingernails.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for psoriasis include obesity, having a family history of the disease, stress and smoking.
Treatments
Treatment of psoriasis can include topical creams such as corticosteroids or retinoids, light therapy or oral medications. The type of psoriasis, the area affected and the extent of the disease affect which treatment is chosen.
