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Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis? 

Psoriasis (pronounced so-RYE-a-sis) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the regeneration of skin cells.

Normal skin cells grow, mature and are shed as part of a natural cycle that takes 28 to 30 days. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that happens when faulty signals in the body’s immune system trigger new skin cells to form in three to four days instead. Because the skin cells grow too quickly, they are not shed normally. Instead, they pile up on the skin’s surface, creating sores or lesions – often called plaques. Thick, silvery scales form atop these itchy and sometimes painful red patches.

Psoriasis usually affects the elbows, knees and scalp, but it can also occur on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, nails, genitals and torso.

If you suspect that you might have psoriasis or if you’ve received a formal diagnosis, you can take some comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Nearly a million Canadians are affected by psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a persistent, chronic condition that may come and go – flare up then go into remission.

During flare-ups, psoriasis causes itchiness and pain in the inflamed skin. Under this stress, the skin may crack and bleed. There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can interrupt the psoriasis cycle and significantly relieve its symptoms and appearance.

Psoriasis can range from a few dandruff-like scales to widespread patches that cover large areas of skin. For many people, psoriasis is nothing more than a nuisance. For others, it’s an embarrassment. And for a few, it’s a painful and disabling condition.

Risk Factors

No one knows what causes psoriasis, but genetics may play a major role in its development, as psoriasis often runs in families. About one in three people with psoriasis has a close relative with this condition.

People with certain medical conditions, such as HIV, are more likely to develop psoriasis. Other risk factors are:

Triggers

Flares of psoriasis are often linked to triggers – factors in the environment that set off the faulty immune response that causes psoriasis. Everyone’s triggers are different, but common triggers include:

Different Levels of Severity

Severity of psoriasis varies with each person and can range from a few patches here and there to full body involvement. Assessment is usually discussed in terms of “mild,” “moderate” and “severe.” In psoriasis patients, about 65% of people have mild psoriasis, about 25% have moderate psoriasis, and about 10% have severe psoriasis.

Mild psoriasis

Moderate psoriasis

Severe psoriasis

To assess the area of involvement, consider that your palm covers about 1% of the skin’s surface; the number of palms of your skin involved with psoriasis is a reflection of the body surface involved.

*National Psoriasis Foundation

The Emotional Impact

The emotional impact of psoriasis on a person’s life does not depend on the severity of the lesions. It is determined by how each person feels about the itchiness, pain and discomfort of psoriasis and the visibility of the lesions.

Fast Facts about Psoriasis