Clinical Definition

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with inflamed skin lesions. These inflamed skin lesions are covered with silver-white scabs of dead skin scales.

In Our Own Words

Psoriasis is a condition that affects millions of Americans and can take on many different forms. Plaque psoriasis is the most common, and raised red skin lesions covered with itchy, silvery scales characterize this condition. Scalp psoriasis is another common form. Other types include guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and inverse psoriasis, just to name a few. Treatment varies according to disease severity and includes topical agents, as well as systemic therapies.

Ten percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, involving inflamed joints and other symptoms. Increasing amounts of evidence support the notion that psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with many other conditions – not just a skin disease. These health conditions include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, depression and Parkinson’s disease.