Psoriasis

Psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by scaling and swelling, is caused by a malfunction in the immune system. T cells in the immune system typically protect the body against infection and disease, but in psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake, causing swelling and fast turnover of skin cells. There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatments focus on correcting the scaly appearance of the skin.

 

An Introduction to Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaling and swelling. Skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. This process is called cell turnover, and it takes about a month. With psoriasis, it can happen in just a few days because the cells rise too fast and pile up on the surface.
 

Who Gets Psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects 2 percent to 2.6 percent of the United States population, or between 5.8 and 7.5 million people. Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults. Sometimes there is a family history of psoriasis. Certain genes have been linked to psoriasis, and men and women get psoriasis at about the same rate.
 

Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis begins in the immune system, mainly with a type of white blood cell called a T cell. T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. With psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake. They become so active that they set off other immune responses. This leads to swelling and fast turnover of skin cells.
 
People with psoriasis may notice that sometimes the skin gets better and sometimes it gets worse. Things that can cause psoriasis to worsen include:
 
  • Infections
  • Stress
  • Changes in weather that dry the skin
  • Certain medicines.
     
(Click Psoriasis Causes for more information about the causes of psoriasis.)
 
(Psoriasis Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD