What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin disease caused by abnormal activity in the body’s immune system. This activity can cause areas of excessive skin production, which causes accumulation of skin-cells. These accumulations appear as red scaly patches which can be exceedingly irritating – although not contagious.

Patches are particularly prone to appearing on the elbows, knees, scalp (where it can manifest itself in flakes rather like sever dandruff) and genitals and recur over long periods of time.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot get psoriasis from touching someone who has psoriasis, swimming in the same pool, or even intimate contact. Psoriasis is much more complex.

So complex, in fact, scientists are still studying what happens when psoriasis develops. We know that the person’s immune system and genes play key roles. In studying the immune system, scientists discovered that when a person has psoriasis, the T cells (a type of white blood cell that fights unwanted invaders such as bacteria and viruses) mistakenly trigger a reaction in the skin cells. This is why you may hear psoriasis referred to as a “T cell-mediated disease.”

This reaction activates a series of events, causing new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The reason T cells trigger this reaction seems to lie in our DNA. People who develop psoriasis inherit genes that cause psoriasis. Unlike some autoimmune conditions, it appears that many genes are involved in psoriasis.

Scientists also have learned that not everyone who inherits genes for psoriasis gets psoriasis. For psoriasis to appear, it seems that a person must inherit the “right” mix of genes and be exposed to a trigger.

 -  Some common triggers are a stressful life event, skin injury, and having strep throat.

 -  Many people say that that their psoriasis first appeared after experiencing one of these.

 -  Triggers are not universal. What triggers psoriasis in one person may not cause psoriasis to develop in another.

When do people get psoriasis?

Psoriasis can begin at any age, from infancy through the golden years. There are, however, times when psoriasis is most likely to develop. Most people first see psoriasis between 15 and 30 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before they turn 40. Another common time for psoriasis to begin is between 50 and 60 years of age. 

Knowledge is power
As psoriasis is a life-long condition, it is important to take an active role in managing it. Learning more about psoriasis, seeing a dermatologist to discuss treatment options, and developing a healthy lifestyle can help people live life to the fullest.