[Skip to Content]


What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition. People with psoriasis have a skin rash and, sometimes, joint problems or nail changes.

There's no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can help most people who have it control its symptoms.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Psoriasis?

The main symptom of psoriasis (pronounced: seh-RYE-eh-siss) is red, thickened patches of skin called plaques. These can burn, itch, or feel sore. Often, silvery scales cover the plaques.

Plaques can happen anywhere. In teens, they're most common on the:

  • face
  • scalp
  • areas where skin touches skin (such as where the arm bends or in the armpit)

Other symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • dry, cracked skin that may bleed at times
  • thick, pitted nails
  • arthritis (painful, stiff, swollen joints)

What Are the Types of Psoriasis?

Common types of psoriasis include:


Guttate (pronounced: GUT-ate) psoriasis. This type often shows up after an illness, especially strep throat. It causes small red spots, usually on the trunk, arms, and legs. Spots also can appear on the face, scalp, and ears.


What Causes Psoriasis?

The exact cause of psoriasis isn't known. But experts do know that the body's immune system, which fights germs and diseases, is involved. Overactive immune system cells make skin cells grow faster than the body can shed them, so they pile up as plaques on the skin.


Anyone can get psoriasis and it may begin at any age. It can't spread from person to person.

What Are Psoriasis Flare-Ups?

Symptoms of psoriasis can go away completely, then suddenly come back. When the symptoms are worse, it's called an "outbreak" or "flare-up." Symptoms of psoriasis can be brought on or made worse by:

  • infections such as strep throat and colds
  • some medicines, such as lithium and beta-blockers
  • stress
  • skin irritations
  • cold weather
  • drinking alcohol
  • smoking

How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, scalp, and nails. They'll also ask whether someone else in your family has psoriasis and if you recently had an illness or started taking a new medicine.

Rarely, doctors might take a skin sample (a biopsy) to check more closely. A can tell the doctor whether it's psoriasis or another condition with similar symptoms.

How Is Psoriasis Treated?

Psoriasis is usually treated by a dermatologist (skin doctor). A rheumatologist (a doctor who treats immune problems) may also help with treatment. Treatments can include:

  • ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or from home or office treatments. But in some people, sunlight can make psoriasis worse.
  • medicines taken by mouth or injected medicines



What Else Should I Know?


  • Avoid alcohol. It can make psoriasis treatments less effective.




Date reviewed: January 2020