Psoriasis affects more than 4.5 million adults in the US and approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Psoriasis in children younger than age 15 is rare.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are
five types of psoriasis, each with unique signs and symptoms.
Psoriasis symptoms can include:
- Reddish skin covered by silvery-white scales.
- Small, red spots on the skin.
- Widespread redness with severe itching.
- White pustules surrounded by red skin.
- Smooth, red lesions in skin folds.
Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called "psoriatic arthritis," which
causes inflammation of the joints.
Psoriasis affects both sexes equally and occurs at all ages.Stress or excessive alcohol consumption can aggravate the disorder.
Psoriasis Treatment Options
There is no cure for psoriasis but there are a number of good treatment options available to control the
symptoms. Treatment of psoriasis might be needed long term.
Types of treatments of psoriasis:
- Topical Agents (drugs applied to the skin)
- Phototherapy (light therapy)
- Systemic Agents (drugs taken within the body)
These treatments may be used alone or in combination with one another.
