Speak To An Expert
Get clear, personalised advice for your situation.
Jot down a few questions to make the most of your conversation.
Psoriasis | NHS
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition causing red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. These patches typically appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but they can appear anywhere on the body. Psoriasis affects around 2% of people in the UK and can start at any age, but most often develops in adults under 35 years old. Unlike some skin conditions, psoriasis is not contagious, meaning it cannot be spread from person to person.
Causes of Psoriasis
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to a problem with the immune system. The immune system starts attacking healthy skin cells by mistake, causing the rapid production of new skin cells. These new skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, forming the characteristic patches. Genetic factors are also believed to play a role, as psoriasis often runs in families. Certain triggers such as stress, skin injuries, infections, and certain medications can also exacerbate the condition.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Common symptoms of psoriasis include patches of red, inflamed skin, and thick, silvery-white scales. These patches can be itchy or sore, and in severe cases, they can crack and bleed. Other symptoms may include dry, cracked skin that may bleed, thickened or ridged nails, and swollen and stiff joints. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may go through periods of flaring up and subsiding.
Treatment Options
While there's no cure for psoriasis, various treatments can help manage the symptoms. These include topical treatments such as corticosteroid creams, vitamin D analogues, and topical retinoids. Phototherapy, which involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light, may also be used. For more severe cases, systemic treatments like oral or injected medications that affect the entire body may be prescribed. These include biologics, which target specific parts of the immune system. It’s essential to work with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Living with Psoriasis
Living with psoriasis can be challenging, but support is available. The NHS provides various resources for patients, including information on managing the condition and access to specialist care. Support groups and charities, such as Psoriasis Association, offer support and advice. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, and avoiding known triggers, can also help manage symptoms. Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider are crucial in monitoring the condition and adjusting treatments as needed.
Psoriasis | NHS
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin problem that makes red and flaky patches. These patches have silver scales on top. You can often see them on elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. But they can be anywhere on the body. About 2 out of every 100 people in the UK have psoriasis. It can start at any age, but often starts before people turn 35. Psoriasis is not something you can catch from someone else.
Causes of Psoriasis
We are not exactly sure why psoriasis happens. It is linked to the immune system. The immune system attacks healthy skin by mistake, making new skin cells too quickly. These extra skin cells pile up and form patches. Psoriasis can run in families, meaning if someone in your family has it, you might get it too. Stress, skin injuries, infections, and some medicines can make psoriasis worse.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
If you have psoriasis, you may see red and inflamed skin with silver-white scales. These patches can itch or hurt. Sometimes, the skin can crack and bleed. Other signs are thick nails or nails with ridges, and swollen joints. Symptoms can be mild or very bad. They can flare up or calm down over time.
Treatment Options
There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatments can help. Creams or ointments you put on your skin, like steroid creams or vitamin creams, can be used. Light therapy, using UV light, can help too. In more serious cases, medicines you take by mouth or injection can be used. These medicines help your whole body. It's important to talk with a doctor to find the best treatment for you.
Living with Psoriasis
Living with psoriasis can be tough, but help is out there. The NHS has lots of resources to help manage it. You can also join support groups like the Psoriasis Association for advice. Changes like eating healthy, lowering stress, and staying away from triggers can help. Make sure to keep seeing your doctor to check your condition and adjust treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. These patches are usually found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but they can appear anywhere on the body.
Symptoms of psoriasis include red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery-white scales, dry and cracked skin that may bleed, itching, burning, or soreness, thickened or ridged nails, and swollen or stiff joints.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it involves the immune system. It is thought to be an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. Genetics and environmental factors can also play a role.
No, psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone who has the condition or pass it on to others.
Psoriasis is usually diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist by examining the affected skin. In some cases, a small sample of skin (biopsy) may be taken to examine under a microscope to help confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options for psoriasis include topical treatments such as corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, phototherapy, systemic treatments, and biologic drugs. The treatment used depends on the severity and type of psoriasis.
Yes, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, managing stress, and following a balanced diet can help manage psoriasis and reduce flare-ups.
Yes, psoriasis can affect other parts of the body, including the nails and joints, leading to conditions like nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are many treatments available that can help manage the symptoms and keep the condition under control.
Yes, children can get psoriasis. While it can develop at any age, it is less common in children compared to adults.
Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups include stress, skin injuries, infections, certain medications, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and changes in weather.
Diet can affect psoriasis. Maintaining a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and avoiding foods that may trigger inflammation, can help manage the symptoms of psoriasis.
Phototherapy for psoriasis involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light. This can reduce the rate of skin cell production and help improve the symptoms. It is usually administered in a controlled medical setting.
Complications of psoriasis can include psoriatic arthritis, increased risk of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Regular medical check-ups are important to monitor for these potential complications.
If you think you have psoriasis, you should see your GP for a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
Psoriasis is a skin problem. It makes the skin red, flaky, and crusty. The skin also gets silvery scales. These spots often show up on your elbows, knees, head, and lower back. But they can appear anywhere on your body.
Here are some tips to help you understand:
- Look at pictures of psoriasis to see what it looks like.
- Ask a grown-up for help if you have questions.
People with psoriasis might have red skin patches with thick white scales. Their skin can be dry and crack, which might bleed. They might feel itchy, have a burning feeling, or their skin might hurt. Their nails can look thick or bumpy. Sometimes, their joints might swell or feel stiff.
To help understand better, you can use pictures or watch videos about psoriasis. Talking to a doctor or nurse can also help.
Nobody knows exactly what causes psoriasis. It happens because of the body’s immune system. The immune system gets confused and attacks healthy skin by mistake. It can run in families, and things around us can affect it too.
No, you cannot catch psoriasis from someone else. You also can't give it to anyone. It's not something you can pass on.
A doctor or skin specialist can tell if you have psoriasis by looking at your skin. Sometimes, they might need to take a tiny piece of skin to look at it more closely with a microscope. This helps them be sure.
If you're having trouble, you can ask someone to go with you to the doctor or write down any questions you want to ask. You can also look at pictures of psoriasis online to understand better.
If a person has psoriasis, there are different ways to help them feel better. Some people use creams that go on the skin, like special steroid or vitamin D creams. There is also a light treatment called phototherapy. Sometimes, doctors give medicine that works inside the body. There are also special medicines called biologic drugs. The doctor will choose the best treatment based on how bad the psoriasis is and what type it is.
Yes, making some changes in how you live can help with psoriasis. Here are some things you can do:
- Keep a healthy weight. It's good for your skin.
- Stop smoking. Smoking can make psoriasis worse.
- Drink less alcohol. It's better for your skin.
- Manage stress. Feeling calm can help your skin.
- Eat healthy foods. A balanced diet is good for you.
All these things can help make your skin better and have fewer bad days.
Use tools like reminders or apps to help keep track of these habits. Getting support from friends or family can also help a lot!
Yes, psoriasis can affect more than just your skin. It can also affect your nails and joints. This can cause problems like nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Using tools like picture cards or speaking with a helper can make understanding easier.
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are many ways to help feel better and control it.
Yes, kids can get psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin problem. It can start at any age, but it is less common in kids than adults.
If you want to understand more about psoriasis, you can look at pictures or use apps that speak the words out loud. These tools can help make it easier to learn.
Psoriasis can get worse because of different things. These things are:
- Feeling very stressed or worried
- Hurting your skin
- Getting sick or having an infection
- Taking some types of medicine
- Smoking cigarettes
- Drinking a lot of alcohol
- Changes in the weather
Tips that might help:
- Try to stay calm and do things that make you happy.
- Be gentle with your skin and avoid getting hurt.
- Wash your hands often to avoid infections.
- Talk to your doctor before taking new medicine.
- If you smoke, try to stop.
- Drinking less alcohol can be good for you.
- Dress warmly when it's cold and keep cool when it's hot.
What you eat can change how psoriasis feels. Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats can help. Try not to eat foods that make your skin hurt more. This can help keep psoriasis problems smaller.
Phototherapy for psoriasis means using special light on the skin. This light helps slow down how fast skin cells grow. It can make the skin feel and look better. Doctors usually do this in a safe place, like a clinic or hospital.
If you have psoriasis, you can have other health problems too. These can include:
- Sore and swollen joints, called psoriatic arthritis.
- Heart problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes (a condition where your blood sugar is too high).
- Feeling very sad or depressed.
It is important to see your doctor often. They can help check for these problems.
If you think you have psoriasis, you should go to your doctor. They can tell you if you have it. Finding out early and getting help can stop it from getting worse.
Ergsy Search Results
This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Always seek guidance from qualified professionals.
If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.
Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.
- Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings.
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.