Clinical Immunology focuses on the immune system’s health. Learn about the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiencies.
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Psoriasis is a long-lasting disease caused by the immune system, mainly showing up on the skin but also affecting the whole body. It speeds up how quickly skin cells grow, so they pile up on the surface. This leads to scales and red, itchy, sometimes painful patches. Psoriasis often comes and goes in cycles, with flare-ups that last for weeks or months before easing. It is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else. The condition results from a mix of genetic factors and immune system activity.
In a functioning immune system, white blood cells, specifically T cells, deploy to attack foreign bacteria and viruses. In psoriasis, these T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This overactive immune response causes the skin blood vessels to dilate and the proliferation of keratinocytes.
Cellular Turnover
In healthy skin, new cells form deep below the surface and take about a month to reach the top. With psoriasis, this process happens in just three to four days. The quick buildup of dead skin cells forms the thick patches known as plaques.
Psoriasis is not just one type of skin problem. It can be mild, affecting less than 3% of the body, or severe, covering more than 10%. The disease can also cause inflammation throughout the body, sometimes affecting the heart and metabolism.
The definition encompasses several distinct types, including plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic psoriasis. Each has a unique definition based on the lesion’s morphology and its location on the body.
Millions of people around the world have psoriasis. It can start at any age, but it is most common in early adulthood or between ages 50 and 60. Men and women are affected equally.
Psoriasis is more common in people who live farther from the equator. This may be due to less sunlight exposure, which interacts with a person’s genetic risk.
Studies show that genetics play a big role in psoriasis. If one parent has it, their child is more likely to get it. If both parents have psoriasis, the risk is even higher. Still, genes are not the only factor.
Scientists have found certain genes linked to psoriasis, most of which help control the immune system. However, not everyone with these genes will get psoriasis. Environmental triggers are also needed to start the disease.
The main sign of psoriasis is the plaque—raised, red patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales. The redness comes from extra blood flow to the fast-growing skin cells.
A key feature of psoriasis is that new patches can show up where the skin is injured. Scratches, sunburns, or cuts from surgery can cause plaques to form in areas that were clear before. This shows how sensitive the skin is in psoriasis.
Doctors now consider psoriasis a disease that causes inflammation throughout the body. The skin symptoms are often a sign of deeper, internal inflammation.
Long-term inflammation from psoriasis can cause other health problems. People with psoriasis are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Knowing about these risks is important for overall health.
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition. The severity can fluctuate significantly over a lifetime. Some patients may experience long periods of remission where the skin is clear, while others have persistent lesions.
Psoriasis often flares up because of triggers like stress, infections, or some medicines. Knowing what causes these cycles helps patients manage their symptoms better.
Psoriasis also affects mental health. Visible skin patches can cause anxiety and depression for many people.
Due to misconceptions about contagiousness, patients often face social stigma. A complete overview of the disease recognizes that mental health is a critical component of the overall disease burden.
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The exact cause is unknown, but it is fundamentally an immune system problem where infection-fighting cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake, triggered by a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
No, psoriasis is not contagious. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning it cannot be spread through person-to-person contact or by sharing items like towels or swimming in the same pool.
Currently, there is no permanent cure for psoriasis. However, it is a manageable condition. Various treatments can clear the skin and induce remission for long periods.
It can start at any age, but there are two peak periods of onset: one between the ages of 15 and 35, and another between 50 and 60.
Yes, because it is a disease of systemic inflammation, it can be associated with other conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
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