- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
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- Memory
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- Movement Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
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- Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome
- Speech and Language Problems in Children
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- A1C
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
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- Diabetes Medicines
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- HIV and Pregnancy
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- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
- Cholesterol Medicines
- DASH Eating Plan
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- HDL: The “Good” Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol in Children and Teens
- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
- Infant and Newborn Nutrition
- LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- Malabsorption Syndromes
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- Triglycerides
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- Concussion
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- Dislocations
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- Itching
- Jaundice
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- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
- Speech and Communication Disorders
- Stuttering
Psoriasis
Summary
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get the patches on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. Some people who have psoriasis also get a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.
A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.
Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases. Your doctor might need to look at a small skin sample under a microscope.
Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime. Symptoms come and go. Things that make them worse include:
- Infections
- Stress
- Dry skin
- Certain medicines
Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medicines, and light therapy.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Start Here
- About Psoriasis National Psoriasis Foundation
- Psoriasis American Academy of Family Physicians
- Spotlight on Psoriasis: Preventing Patches of Itchy, Sore Skin National Institutes of Health
- What Is Psoriasis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Psoriasis National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- Erythroderma Medical Encyclopedia
Find an Expert
- Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Genetics
- Generalized pustular psoriasis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Patient Handouts
- Guttate psoriasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Psoriasis Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Phototherapy VisualDX
Images
- Psoriasis VisualDX
Children
- Psoriasis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
- Psoriasis Doesn’t Slow Down Texan Brian LaFoy
- Psoriasis: On the Road to Discovery
- Questions & Answers about Psoriasis
- Zain Verjee Is No Longer Hiding from Psoriasis
Women
- Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
Specifics
- Psoriatic Arthritis: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Journal Articles
Related Issues
- Scalp Psoriasis vs. Seborrheic Dermatitis: What’s the Difference? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research