PSORIASIS Psoriasis is a long-term disorder in which skin cells reproduce too rapidly, causing red, thickened patches. Psoriasis tends to recur in attacks, which may be triggered by factors such as infection, injury, stress, or certain medications.
In the most common type, called plaque psoriasis, red, flaky patches (plaques) covered in silver scales appear, usually on the elbows, knees, and scalp, which are itchy and sore. In guttate psoriasis, small, scaly, red patches occur all over the body.
In flexural psoriasis, large, smooth, red patches develop in skin folds. Psoriasis may also affect the nails, which become pitted, discolored, and loose. Psoriasis may also cause psoriatic arthritis .
Psoriasis can often be improved by topical treatments with corticosteroids, emollients, vitamin D analogues (forms of vitamin D), coal-tar preparations, or dithranol preparations. Ultraviolet light therapy may also help. If such treatments are ineffective, tablets or injected medication may be used.

Othere related diseases

CHILBLAINS
Also called pernio, chilblains are itchy, painful swellings on the fingers or toes that occur as a result of the excessive narrowing of small blood vessels unde...

CHLOASMA
Also known as melasma, chloasma is a skin condition is which dark patches appear on the face, mainly on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. Exposure to sunlight mak...

CLUBBING
In clubbing, the fingertips and ends of the toes become broader, thicker, and bulbous, and there is increased curvature of the nails so that they look like the ...

COLD SORE
Cold sores are small blisters that form around the mouth or on the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The first attack of the virus may cause a ...

DANDRUFF
Dandruff is a harmless condition in which dead skin is shed from the scalp, accumulating in the hair and sometimes causing itching. It is commonly due to seborr...

ECZEMA AND DERMATITIS
Contact dermatitis Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) Seborrheic dermatitis Both eczema and dermatitis are terms that refer to an inflammation of the skin, which...

ERYSIPELAS
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the upper layers of the skin, usually as a result of bacteria entering through a break in the skin—for example, from a ...

FUNGAL NAIL INFECTION
Known medically as onychomycosis, fungal nail infections cause the nails to become discolored, thickened, distorted, and brittle. Affected nails may also cause ...