Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that are itchy and sometimes painful.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that often comes and goes. The main goal of treatment is to stop the skin cells from growing so quickly. There is no cure for psoriasis, but you can manage symptoms. Lifestyle modifications, such as moisturizing, quitting smoking and managing stress, may help.

There are several different types of treatment for psoriasis.

Your doctor may recommend that you try one of these or a combination of them:

• Topical creams
• Light therapy, which involves a doctor shining an ultraviolet light on your skin or getting more sunlight. It’s important that a doctor controls the amount of light you are getting from this therapy, because too much ultraviolet light may make your psoriasis worse.
• Systemic treatment, which can include taking prescription medicines or getting shots of medicine.