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Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that flares up periodically and then goes into remission. It is characterized by raised, red areas of inflammation, as well as thickening and scaling, or flaking, of the skin. It is not contagious or spreadable from one part of the body to another, or from one person to another.
Psoriasis may develop on any part of the body, but is often found on the ears, scalp, knees, hands, feet, elbows, or genitalia. Psoriasis may be the result of the body's inability to properly exfoliate or shed skin. Normal, non-psoriatic skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days, while psoriatic skin cells move rapidly to the surface of the body over a period of 3 to 6 days. This rapid buildup of unshed skin cells results in the formation of lesions on the body. The cause for psoriasis is not known, although it is not thought to be the result of allergies, infections, dietary deficiencies or excesses, or nervous tension. Psoriasis may be a hereditary disorder, with some people carrying genes that make them more likely to suffer from this condition. However, not everyone with these genes will develop psoriasis. Instead, psoriasis may be triggered by any one or a combination of the following: emotional stress, injury to the skin, certain types of infection, or reaction to certain drugs. There is no blood test for psoriasis. Instead, psoriasis is diagnosed by a physical examination of the skin. Microscopic examination of the skin (biopsy) is also helpful where the changes in the skin are not typical or characteristic. |
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