Psoriasis is is a chronic disease that develops when the immune system sends faulty signals that instruct skin cells to grow too quickly. These out-of-control skin cells can appear quite rapidly — forming in days rather than weeks. When a patient with psoriasis does not shed these excess cells, and they pile up on the top surface of the skin, patches of the disease appear. It is a genetic condition and cannot be caught through physical contact.

This condition falls into five categories:

• Plaque Psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris)— An an autoimmune disease that results in raised, red, scaly patches on the skin.
• Inverse (intertriginous psoriasis or flexural psoriasis)—Scaly plaques develop in the folds of a patient’s skin in areas such as under the breasts, buttocks, and groin creases and the axillae. Due to heat and skin friction in these areas, the scales tend to fall off, leaving a smooth red area that has the appearance of scalded skin.
• Guttate— More common among young adults and children, guttate psoriasis usually occurs with a sudden onset. This occurs most often after a streptococcal pharyngitis infection and appears as drop-like lesions.
• Pustular— Generally in the scalp.
• Erythrodermic (exfoliative psoriasis)— Often occurs after a stressful event, such as fever, infection, or other significant illness.

Now there are more effective treatment options.
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.

Although there is no cure for psoriasis, our medical team can help reduce the symptoms commonly associated with the disease and offer you the relief you seek.