1 of 9 / Overview
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What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal.
7 Types of Psoriasis
Knowing which kind of psoriasis you have helps you and your doctor make a treatment plan. Most people have only one type at a time.
Conditions That Look Like Psoriasis
Other skin conditions -- some of them minor, others more complex -- can also look like psoriasis.
Is Psoriasis an Autoimmune Disease?
Experts believe psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. That means your body thinks its own tissues are foreign invaders that must be attacked.
2 of 9 / Flares & Triggers
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Tracking Your Psoriasis Outbreaks
Tracking psoriasis flares can help you feel more in control of your condition.
Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups
When you have psoriasis, the most important thing is to follow your doctor’s advice. Still, you can do a lot on your own to help control and prevent flare-ups.
Psoriasis: How to Stop the Spread
When you look at your patch (or patches) of thick, red skin, you probably want to know two things: How can I make this disappear? And how can I stop my psoriasis from spreading?
Top Psoriasis Triggers
While the underlying cause of psoriasis stems from your body's immune system, certain triggers can make symptoms worse or cause flare-ups.
3 of 9 / Causes & Risks
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Who Gets Psoriasis?
Who gets psoriasis more often: women or men? And do your chances of developing this long-term skin condition go up based on your race, ethnicity, or age?
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It can look like a rash, so you may worry that you could get it from someone else or pass it to others. But rest easy: It's not contagious.
Your Genes and Psoriasis
You’re more likely to get psoriasis if your blood relatives also have it. That’s because certain genes play a role in who gets the condition.
Cytokines in Psoriasis
Your immune system uses tiny proteins called cytokines to communicate between cells. Some cytokines appear to play a key role in psoriasis.
4 of 9 / Types
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What Is Plaque Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects about 8 million Americans. It comes in several forms. Plaque psoriasis is the most common.
What Is Inverse Psoriasis?
Inverse psoriasis is a skin condition that affects the folds of your skin.
Deodorant for Underarm Psoriasis
If you have psoriasis under your arms, aka inverse or “hidden” psoriasis, you might wonder whether it’s OK to use deodorant or antiperspirant.
What Is Guttate Psoriasis?
Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that shows up on your skin as red, scaly, small, teardrop-shaped spots.
5 of 9 / Locations on the Body
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Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder. It can be a single patch or several, and can even affect your entire scalp.
Scalp Psoriasis vs. Dandruff
If your scalp itches and flakes, your doctor can tell if it’s just dandruff or a more serious problem like psoriasis.
Psoriasis Shampoo: How to Choose
Most shampoos are designed to clean and care for your hair, but if you have psoriasis on your scalp, you should find shampoos that are made specifically for your scalp.
Hair Care When You Have Psoriasis
A visit to the salon can put a smile on your face and give your self-esteem a little boost. Don’t let scalp psoriasis keep you from these simple pleasures.
6 of 9 / Tests & Diagnosis
View AllWhen to See a Doctor for Skin Problems
Lots of things can set off your skin. Some people have conditions like psoriasis -- when skin cells pile up in thick patches.
Tests to Diagnose Psoriasis
In most cases, your primary care doctor or dermatologist will be able to diagnose psoriasis by examining your skin. However, since psoriasis can look like eczema and other skin diseases, diagnosing it can sometimes be difficult.
Do You Need a Skin Biopsy to Diagnose Psoriasis?
Your doctor can usually tell if you have psoriasis without a biopsy -- a procedure that collects skin cells and checks them under a microscope. But there are a few rare cases where you might need to get one.
How to Choose a Doctor to Treat Psoriasis
A doctor who specializes in skin care, called a dermatologist, can be a big help with your psoriasis. They'll be up to date on all the triggers you should avoid, symptoms, and treatments.
7 of 9 / Treatment
View AllPsoriasis Treatments: How To Get Rid of Psoriasis
There’s no cure for psoriasis. But treatment can help you feel better. You may need topical, oral, or body-wide (systemic) treatments.
Treatment for Psoriatic Disease
There are two main types of psoriatic disease: psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Living with either disease can be painful and sometimes embarrassing, but the right treatments can greatly improve symptoms.
Choosing a Treatment for Psoriasis
There isn't a cure for psoriasis, and there isn't a perfect treatment either. Before treatment, you should make sure that your doctor is comfortable prescribing systemic and biologic medications when they're necessary.
Solutions for Mild Psoriasis
Mild to moderate psoriasis means that the red, scaly patches ("plaques") cover less than 10% of your body. But just because your psoriasis is called "mild" doesn't mean it's easy to live with.
8 of 9 / Living With
View AllTips to Care for Your Psoriasis
There are some things most everyone can do to help keep psoriasis symptoms at bay and maintain your mental health.
7 Tips for Psoriasis Skin Care
To boost your psoriasis treatment, some simple tweaks to your daily routine also can promote healing and calm flare-ups.
Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid
You can use certain skin care products when you’re living with psoriasis, but caution is the name of the game.
Beauty Hacks for Psoriasis
There are steps you can take to mask psoriasis problem areas. That can make you feel better about how you look and get your day off to a good start.
9 of 9 / Complications
View AllHow Psoriasis Can Affect Your Joints
How does a skin condition like psoriasis affect your joints? It might not make sense at first, but here's the connection.
Link Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are different diseases, but they are related. Some people may have both at the same time. Some of their causes, symptoms, and treatments are similar.
Palmoplantar Pustulosis
Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) causes blister-like sores on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. It can also cause cracked skin or reddened, scaly patches.
Digestive Problems When You Have Psoriasis
It may seem odd, but it's true. Psoriasis is related to some digestive disorders that are also autoimmune diseases.
Suggested Reads about Psoriasis
Psoriatic Disease: An Autoimmune Disease Expert’s Point of View
A rheumatologist explains what to expect when psoriatic disease affects your joints.
Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Psoriasis Severity
A study found a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and psoriasis severity, indicating that some people who increase their intake of the vitamin could better control this skin condition.
COVID-19 and Psoriasis: Is There a Link?
New research is shedding light on how an infection with COVID-19 may reactivate, or even cause, psoriasis.
Advances in Psoriasis Treatment
More than 100 million people have psoriasis worldwide. As the number grows, experts keep looking for new ways to manage the condition. Here’s a look at advances in psoriasis treatments.
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