-What is Psoriasis?
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-Psoriasis facts-
--Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
--Psoriasis has no known cause.
--The tendency toward developing psoriasis is inherited in genes.
--Psoriasis is not contagious.
--Psoriasis gets better and worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin).
--Psoriasis is controllable with medication.
--Psoriasis is currently not curable.
There are many promising therapies, including newer biologic drugs.
Future research for psoriasis is promising.

-What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin. The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the rapid proliferation of skin cells that is triggered by abnormal lymphocytes from the blood . Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.

Some people have such mild psoriasis (small, faint dry skin patches) that they may not even suspect that they have a medical skin condition. Others have very severe psoriasis where virtually their entire body is fully covered with thick, red, scaly skin.

Psoriasis is considered a non-curable, long-term (chronic) skin condition. It has a variable course, periodically improving and worsening. It is not unusual for psoriasis to spontaneously clear for years and stay in remission. Many people note a worsening of their symptoms in the colder winter months.

Psoriasis is seen worldwide, in all races, and both sexes. Although psoriasis can be seen in people of any age, from babies to seniors, most commonly patients are first diagnosed in their early adult years.

Patients with more severe psoriasis may have social embarrassment, job stress, emotional distress, and other personal issues because of the appearance of their skin.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 8/24/2011
<http://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article.htm>