Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes the skin to become red and flaky, and develop a texture that resembles silver scales. You can get psoriasis on any part of your body, but the most commonly affected areas are the scalp, the elbows, knees, and the lower back and tailbone area.
Most people will usually only get small patches of psoriasis that may become itchy or even painful, but more severe cases can have the patches expand and spread until they cover large areas of the body.
Who gets psoriasis?
There’s no clear reason why people get psoriasis, but some people might be more at risk than others. You’re more at risk of developing psoriasis if there’s an issue with your immune system, but it can also be a genetic problem. But it’s not clear why psoriasis runs in families.
You might also be more prone to psoriasis if you’ve injured your skin in any way, if you’ve had a throat infection, or if you’re taking any particular medications such as ibuprofen or ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure.
If you suspect that your psoriasis might be triggered by any medication, you should speak to a clinician about it, so that they can factor this into what the best course of treatment for you is.
Lifestyle choices can also affect your risk of developing psoriasis. For example, excess alcohol, smoking, and high-stress levels can trigger the condition.
How common is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a fairly common condition that affects around 125 million people worldwide. You can develop it at any point in your life, but it’s more common in adults under the age of 35, and men and women get it in similar numbers, so sex isn’t a risk factor.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Psoriasis
What causes psoriasis?
Psoriasis is caused by your skin cells being replaced more rapidly than normal. There’s no clear reason why the body does this, but it’s believed that your immune system attacks skin cells that are healthy by mistake, and this triggers the symptoms.
Usually, it takes the body three to four weeks to create new skin cells, and for these skin cells to rise to the top layer of the skin from the bottom. But if you have psoriasis, your immune system isn’t working the way it should, and it causes this almost one-month-long process to take just three to seven days.
Because the skin cells don’t have time to develop properly, they accumulate quickly on the surface. This causes your skin to have a red and flaky appearance, and the silvery scales are a result of the overlaying.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
Usually, psoriasis causes dry and red patches of skin that resemble scales and have a silvery colour. But there are different types of psoriasis, and each will have different symptoms. They include:
Psoriasis vulgaris, more commonly known as plaque psoriasis, which is the most common form of psoriasis, found in 90% of the cases. It’s characterised by the red, flaky, silver scales that are usually found on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back, but could be anywhere
Guttate psoriasis, which is more frequently found in children and teenagers. It usually consists of small droplets, rather than the silvery scales you get with plaque psoriasis. The affected areas are usually the extremities, face and scalp. Most cases of guttate psoriasis are solved without needing treatment, but some cases are more persistent and need treatment
Erythrodermic psoriasis, which is the rarest and most serious form of psoriasis. People suffering from it will have almost 80% of their bodies affected by red, fiery skin that resembles severe sunburn. It can cause body temperature fluctuations, itchiness and a faster heart rate. This form of psoriasis can lead to many complications and it can be resistant to treatments
Palmoplantar psoriasis, which affects the palms of the hands and feet, with the affected areas turning a pinkish-yellow colour
Inverse psoriasis, which is usually localised in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts, genitals and buttocks, and looks like bright red patches with distinctive edges. This form of psoriasis also tends to be resistant to treatments
Pustular psoriasis, which is characterised by pus-filled bumps surrounded by red skin. They may just appear on the palms of your hand and feet, but can also spread all over your body (in which case it’s called “generalised pustular psoriasis”). If this is the case, you should seek immediate medical attention. Pustular psoriasis can cause chills, fever, nausea, and muscle weakness
Can psoriasis lead to other problems?
Psoriasis can cause your joints to become painful and tender. This is called psoriatic arthritis and usually needs to be treated by a rheumatologist. The appearance of psoriasis can sometimes affect peoples’ self-esteem too.
If you’re worried about the physical and mental impact that psoriasis is having on you, you should speak to our clinician so they can advise you on any additional treatments if required, or refer you to a mental health specialist.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Psoriasis
What medications are there for psoriasis?
Which psoriasis treatment is right for you depends on the severity of your condition, but as a general rule, the first treatment option offered to people with psoriasis is a topical medication, like vitamin D ointments and lotions, or topical corticosteroids that you apply to the affected areas of your skin. There’s no cure for psoriasis, but these treatments will usually successfully tackle the symptoms and improve the appearance of your skin. There are also systemic treatments that you can take orally or inject into your body.
If you find that all these treatment methods are unsuccessful, or if you have a more severe case of psoriasis, there’s a type of treatment called phototherapy that may be used. Phototherapy works by exposing your skin to ultraviolet light, and studies have stated that it’s an effective treatment for psoriasis.
Finding the right treatment for you can be tricky at first, and sometimes you might need to use different treatments together to get the best results possible. Our clinicians are here to help you find the right medication, and they’ll check in with you regularly to make sure that your treatment is going well and to make any adjustments if necessary.
Is there a ‘best’ treatment for psoriasis?
There isn’t a “best” treatment for psoriasis as such. Each person will react differently to different treatments, so the goal is to find the best treatment for you. The right medication for you will depend on what type of psoriasis you have, how serious it is, and which parts of your body are affected.
You may also not find the perfect solution straight away and it can sometimes be a case of trial and error. A clinician will prescribe a mild treatment to begin with, to see how your body reacts to it, such as a topical cream. If your symptoms don’t improve after some time, you may be given a stronger treatment.
Does psoriasis always need treatment?
Even if your psoriasis is mild and doesn’t affect your life considerably, you should still get treatment. Managing the condition is essential to prevent it from becoming more serious.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition, meaning that there is no cure. But it also means that there are periods where you won’t experience any symptoms or only mild symptoms and periods where your symptoms are more severe. These periods are commonly referred to as flares, and you should get treatment based on them.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Psoriasis
FAQ: Psoriasis
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
Answer:
A clinician will usually be able to accurately diagnose psoriasis by looking at your skin. But occasionally they might want to take a small sample of the affected skin for a biopsy, to find out what type of psoriasis you’ve got. This can also help rule out other types of skin disorders, such as lichen simplex, lichen planus and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
If you develop complications of psoriasis, such as psoriatic arthritis, you may be referred by your clinician to a specialist called a rheumatologist for a diagnosis.
Are there tests for psoriasis?
Answer:
There’s no specific medical test that can indicate whether or not you have psoriasis. Normally a clinician will be able to diagnose you by looking at the affected areas of your skin. But they may need to do some tests to rule out other conditions, such as blood tests and X-rays of your joints.
If the clinician who examines you isn’t sure about your diagnosis, or if the condition has advanced and become serious, they may refer you to a dermatologist.
Can you get side effects from psoriasis treatment?
Answer:
Yes. As is the case with other medications, you can get side effects from psoriasis treatment. Strong topical corticosteroids can be particularly harsh on your body, so they should only be applied to small areas of your skin, or to areas where you have thicker patches of psoriasis.
Using topical corticosteroids for long periods can also cause your skin to become thinner and more sensitive. If you get any side effects, and especially if they’re uncomfortable, you should let our clinician know. They may advise you to try an alternative treatment.
Does psoriasis treatment always work?
Answer:
Medication can usually help keep psoriasis in check, especially in milder cases. But if you have a more severe case of psoriasis, you may need to speak to a dermatologist, who can talk to you about treatment options. There’s usually a treatment that works effectively for you that’s available; you may just have to try a few different medications beforehand.
Why should I buy psoriasis treatment online with Treated?
Answer:
Here at Treated, we prioritise your health and wellbeing. Our clinicians will work with you to find the best treatment options that take your health background and current health situation into account. The goal is to build a treatment plan suited to your needs.
After you start your medication, we’ll check in with you regularly to see how your body is reacting to the medication and monitor any side effects. And if the medication isn’t working as expected, our clinicians can talk you through other treatment options that are safe and suitable for you.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
The global state of psoriasis disease epidemiology: a workshop report. British Journal of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5600082
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