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Psoriasis
Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, causes skin cells to grow too quickly. Symptoms include thick white, silvery, or red patches of skin, inflammation, and flaking skin. Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system.
Psoriasis SymptomsSee the types.
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FDA OKs New Psoriasis Drug Stelara
The FDA today approved a new biologic drug called Stelara for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.
The FDA today approved a new biologic drug called Stelara for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.
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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").
