The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population suffers from psoriasis in some form. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that cannot be cured, but symptoms can be controlled with medications and daily moisturizing.
Medical Classification
The NPF classifies psoriasis as an autoimmune disease. This means a person's immune system does not respond properly to the production of skin cells.
Types
The most common type is plaque psoriasis, characterized by raised lesions with scales. Guttate symptoms are individual red spots on the skin; pustular psoriasis is small, filled blisters on the skin; inverse psoriasis attacks skin folds throughout the body, and erythrodermic psoriasis is the case of severely reddened skin and a elevated body temperature. Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints with pain and inflammation.
Causes
Causes of psoriasis are somewhat unclear, according to the Mayo Clinic. Genetics may play a role. Common triggers for an outbreak include stress, skin wounds or injury, and sometimes medication use.
Onset
Psoriasis can affect people of all ages. The most common age of onset is between 15 and 25. People older than 30 are more likely to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis than younger people.
Treatment
Treatment for psoriasis includes topical medications, systemic drugs and light therapy.
