Skinfare Skin Care Blog

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is characterized by thick scaly patches (placques) on the skin and inflammation accompanied by small bumps (papules). Psoriasis is reddish brown or simply red in color and can be quickly recognized by white scales on top of the raised bumps which may bleed if they are scraped off or removed.

This skin condition can be localized or appear on most of the skin around the body. The most common areas to find Psoriasis are on the chest, knees, scalp and elbows. Psoriasis is estimated to inflict over seven million people per year in the U.S. alone although most cases tend to not be serious. If anything, it causes an unsightly appearance more than anything else.

The root cause of Psoriasis is currently unknown but it has recently been suspected that it results from a problem with the immune system that triggers inflammation. This in turn leads to the skin shedding its cells to quickly (over 3 or 4 days as opposed to the normal 30 days). To date there is no cure for this skin disease but both topical and internal treatments are available.

Psoriasis should be diagnosed and treated with the help of a physician or licensed dermatologist.