Psoriasis
WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) disease. It develops when a person’s immune system sends faulty signals that tell skin cells to grow too quickly. New skin cells form in days rather than weeks. Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks. New skin cells grow to replace the outer layers of the skin as they shed.
The body does not shed these excess skin cells. The skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing patches of psoriasis (plaques) to appear. The result is thick, white, silvery, or red patches on the surface of the skin.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
There are 7 types of psoriasis. It is important to treat each inflammation level accordingly.
PLAQUE PSORIASIS (PSORIASIS VULGARIS): The most common type.
Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) disease. It develops when a person’s immune system sends faulty signals that tell skin cells to grow too quickly. New skin cells form in days rather than weeks. Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks. New skin cells grow to replace the outer layers of the skin as they shed.
The body does not shed these excess skin cells. The skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing patches of psoriasis (plaques) to appear. The result is thick, white, silvery, or red patches on the surface of the skin.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
There are 7 types of psoriasis. It is important to treat each inflammation level accordingly.
PLAQUE PSORIASIS (PSORIASIS VULGARIS): The most common type.
- Raised reddish patches on the skin called plaque
- Patches may be covered with a silvery-white coating, which dermatologists call scale.
- Patches can appear anywhere on the skin.
- Most patches appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp.
- Patches can itch.
- Scratching the itchy patches often causes the patches to thicken.
- Patches vary in size and can appear as separate patches or join together to cover a large area.