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Vigorous Exercise Might Protect Against Psoriasis
Chalk up another reason to exercise: A new study suggests vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis.
Chalk up another reason to exercise: A new study suggests vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis.
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Topic Overview
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis (say "suh-RY-uh-sus") is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin. 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. But in psoriasis, new skin cells move rapidly to the surface of the skin in days rather than weeks. They build up and form thick patches called plaques (say "plax").
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