What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a skin condition where your body makes new skin cells quickly. In about 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis, these skin cells build up in thick, scaly patches called psoriasis plaques, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The condition is not contagious.
More than 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis, and it usually starts in the teen years or early 20s, though it can strike at any age, reports the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). It can develop in people of any race, and is more common in people who have a family member with the condition.
Dr. Carolyn Jacob, medical director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), was diagnosed with psoriasis 36 years ago. Its what got me into dermatology, she said.
Untreated, people with psoriasis can leave a trail of unsightly scales that make them want to stay home. Most people dont care for that, said Dr. Amy McMichael, chair of the dermatology department at Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. Now we can get those patients to where they have a very manageable disease.
Most people with psoriasis develop itchy, scaly plaques that are usually white or silver. They often crop up on the knees, elbows, lower back or scalp. On the scalp, they can spread to psoriasis of the face.
Less-common types of psoriasis can cause tiny pink bumps, skin thats sore and red, pus-filled bumps on the hands and feet or other skin problems. You can have more than one type of psoriasis.
Its also possible to have psoriasis with arthritis, where the psoriasis affects the joints. According to the NPF, 30 percent of people with psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.
Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.
What causes psoriasis? The immune system plays a role. With psoriasis, the white blood cells, or T-cells, in the bodys immune system attack the skin cells. The body responds by making more skin cells, which build up on top of the skin.
Theres also a genetic factor behind who gets psoriasis. But some people get psoriasis even though they dont have the genes that increase their risk, according to the AAD. And its possible that some people who do have the genes that increase their risk never develop psoriasis. Researchers think exposure to a trigger might kickstart psoriasis in people who are more likely to develop it.
There are certain triggers that can cause psoriasis for the first time. These triggers can also cause psoriasis flare-ups.
Triggers linked with psoriasis, according to the AAD:
Not every trigger causes flare-ups in every person with psoriasis, so its important to watch your symptoms and try to determine what could be causing them.
Your dermatologist will look over your skin, nails and scalp to check for signs of psoriasis, and ask about your symptoms, joint problems, family history and possible triggers.
Examining a skin sample under a microscope can help confirm a psoriasis diagnosis.
Psoriasis is almost always a lifelong condition. We dont have a cure, but we have many medications now that can make you feel like you dont have psoriasis, Jacob said. The medications have advanced so far since when I was diagnosed they used to call it the heartbreak of psoriasis.'
McMichael recalls an 18-year-old patient with severe psoriasis the plaques covered her body and she needed a wheelchair to get around. She had been through all the medications we had. Now you never see a patient like that, she said. Today, if one medication doesnt work there are a lot more to try. That has made the lives of psoriasis patients so much easier, she said.
According to the NPF, psoriasis treatment options include:
While todays treatments are highly effective, its often necessary to use a combination of different treatments to achieve clear or nearly clear skin and sometimes it can take months, or even years, to find a treatment regimen that works well for you, according to the NPF. But reducing your psoriasis is an important goal. Not only will it make your skin feel better, itll help improve your overall health, including any depression that may be related to your psoriasis; it can also reduce your risk of other conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
People with psoriasis and their providers can use the NPFs treatment targets for guidance on how soon results can be expected when trying out medication options. The NPF says that after 3 months on a medication, psoriasis should only appear on 1% or less of your body surface area, though 75% improvement is also acceptable. But if you havent reached 1% or less psoriasis on your body after 6 months on the treatment regimen (and if you havent had an acceptable response after 3 months), the NPF recommends discussing other treatment options with your doctor.
Additionally, if youve achieved success with a treatment regimen, but it stops working well, talk to your doctor about finding another treatment solution for your psoriasis.
Its one of my favorite skin conditions to treat because there are so many options to make it better, Jacob said. The new biologics work so well we can get peoples skin clear so they feel like they dont have psoriasis I forget I have it now.
See more here:
Psoriasis: Treatments, medication, symptoms and more - TODAY - TODAY
- Why Jews With Psoriasis Might Think Twice About Seeking Treatment in Jordan - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Skin conditions leave emotional scars - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free Forever Review | How This Program Helps People Treat The Root Causes Of Their Psoriasis Symptoms ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis | University of Maryland Medical Center - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment, Symptoms, Pictures, Types, Prognosis ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus - U.S. National Library of Medicine - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information ... - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free For Life Review - Watch This Before You Buy - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Natural Psoriasis Relief in Seattle, Washington - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- PSORIASIS VULGARIS - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Top 5 Powerful Home Remedies For Psoriasis - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis feedback after hijama - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- 9 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Manga - Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- How to treat psoriasis | In Good Shape - Interview - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Best Scalp Psoriasis Treatment - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Sandoz begins Phase III clinical trial for biosimilar adalimumab - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- What Is Psoriasis? - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment Medical Course - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Healing Psoriasis Hypnosis Session - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Natural Farm cure for Skin Problems like Psoriasis - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - 100% Natural Treatment Shivax® - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is psoriasis ... - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P3 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P2 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P1 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Can Acupuncture treat psoriasis and other scalp disorders? - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipédia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriatic nails - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- How to Cure Psoriasis - Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information - Video - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Chronicles - Dealing with Depression, Anxiety and Anger - Video - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- How to Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment | Health Plus | Studio N - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Ayurvedic Remedy for Psoriasis - By Panditha Elchuri - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Silica Gel For Psoriasis / Neurodermatitis - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- comment traiter son psoriasis détail oubliés - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis tends to relapse after stopping Methotrexate, shown in a case at Life Force - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- hiking nevada Health and Wellness Enthusiast Dawn Talks About Managing Plaque Psoriasis hiking watch - Video - January 5th, 2014 [January 5th, 2014]
- Guttate psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 7th, 2014 [January 7th, 2014]
- Biofeedback May Help Control Stress-Related Diseases - January 8th, 2014 [January 8th, 2014]
- Psoriasis can be managed with proper treatment - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor: How I fight psoriasis - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - My Home Remedies - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus en español - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriatic arthritis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor Zain Verjee: How I fight psoriasis - January 11th, 2014 [January 11th, 2014]
- Testimonio psoriasis - Video - January 14th, 2014 [January 14th, 2014]
- Heroin addict with severe Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- biospray for Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Psoriasis Free For Life - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- 8 Cure For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Learn about plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse ... - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Symptoms, Triggers, and Causes of Psoriasis on WebMD - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Home Remedies - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment - Dermasis Psoriasis Cream - My Honest Review - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Psoriasis Speaks Couple Looking At Rings In Jewelery Store Emotional - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Humira Psoriasis Medication Salon Clearer Skin is Possible - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Pictures Slideshow - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Medscape Reference - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- 5 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Ikonsulta Mo: Medical Advise on Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for Severe Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for resistant, summertime Mild to Moderate Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Dr stephen ferguson ND PhD chronic fatigue psoriasis cured - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Noir Naturals Age of Innocence (Unscented) Goat's Milk Lotion for Psoriasis Relief - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- New biologic drugs offer relief for psoriasis sufferers - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis traitement appliquer le lait pour le corps ISO UREA MD Vidéo La Roche Posay INFO PSO - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Coping with psoriasis - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Exfoliative Dermatitis/Psoriasis Vulgaris with Psoriatic Arthritis with English Subtitles - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Psoriasis skin care routine 2014 - Video - January 27th, 2014 [January 27th, 2014]
- How to treat psoriasis effectively - By Franziska Ringpfeil, Board Certified Dermatologist - Video - January 28th, 2014 [January 28th, 2014]
- My Psoriasis 411: Apple Cider Vinegar Tutorial for Scalp Treatment - Video - January 29th, 2014 [January 29th, 2014]
- 12 Best and Worst Foods for Psoriasis - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en radio Tagoror - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en Canarias Hoy - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psoriasis Natural Treatment that Workswww savevid com - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]