Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, which means it is long lasting.
Patches of skin become inflamed and scales develop. Scaling occurs when cells in the
outer layer of skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface.
Although the disease occurs in all age groups and equally among men and women, it
mainly affects adults.
People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including
pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and
emotional distress. Psoriasis usually causes patches of
thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These patches,
which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch
and may burn. The skin at the joints may crack. Psoriasis
most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower
back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but it can affect any skin location.
Psoriasis may also affect the fingernails, toenails, and soft tissues inside the mouth
and genitalia. About 15% of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that causes
symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.