Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get them on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.

Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime. Symptoms come and go. Things that make them worse include

• Infections
• Stress
• Dry skin
• Certain medicines

Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medications, and light therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Overviews

• About Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Psoriasis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Questions and Answers about Psoriasis (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Latest News

• Vitamin D Not Behind UVB's Psoriasis Benefit (08/17/2010, Reuters Health)
• Beer Linked to Psoriasis in Women (08/17/2010, HealthDay)
• Health Tip: Treating Psoriasis (05/26/2010, HealthDay)

Diagnosis/Symptoms

• Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Treatment

• Is Phototherapy Right for Your Psoriasis? (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Phototherapy (Logical Images)
• Treating Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Treating Psoriatic Arthritis (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Treatment: Scalp Psoriasis (American Academy of Dermatology)

Nutrition

• Healthy Eating and Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Coping

• Psoriasis Action Plan: Dealing with Depression (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Psychological Aspects of Psoriasis (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Psychosocial Stress and Psoriasis (American Academy of Dermatology)

Disease Management

• Are Lifestyle Choices Affecting Your Psoriasis? (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Living Well (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Minimizing Flare-Ups (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Psoriasis Triggers (American Academy of Dermatology)

Specific Conditions

• Psoriatic Arthritis (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Psoriatic Nails (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Scalp Psoriasis (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Types of Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Related Issues

• Frequently Asked Questions about Psoriasis (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Living Well in the Workplace (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Should I Get a Flu Shot if I Have Psoriasis? (American Academy of Dermatology)

Pictures & Photographs

• Psoriasis (Logical Images)
• What Psoriasis Looks Like (American Academy of Dermatology)

Tutorials

• Psoriasis (Patient Education Institute)

Videos

• If I Had - A Child Who Developed Red, Scaly Patches (Insidermedicine)
• If I Had - Scaly Plaques on Elbows and Knees (Insidermedicine)

Anatomy/Physiology

• What Is Known about Psoriasis: Immune System Involvement (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Children

• About Psoriasis in Children (National Psoriasis Foundation)
• Psoriasis and Emotions (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Teenagers

• For Teens: Living with Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Women

• Conception, Pregnancy and Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Source: MedlinePlus.gov

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