Psoriasis Dr Rob Hicks Psoriasis is a common skin condition that occurs when the skin cells replace themselves too quickly. There are many different types, but the most common is chronic plaque psoriasis.

In this article

What causes it? What are the symptoms?

Who's affected? Psoriasis in children

What's the treatment? Advice and support

The reason psoriasis occurs is unknown, so it's impossible to prevent. However, many things are thought to trigger the condition, including a skin injury, sore throat or chest infections, certain drug treatments, sunburn and stress.

A specific form of arthritis is related to psoriasis.

Psoriasis usually appears as red, scaly patches that reveal fine silvery scales when scraped or scratched. These patches may itch and feel uncomfortable.

Psoriasis is most common on the knees, elbows and scalp, but can appear anywhere on the body.

Some people with psoriasis become withdrawn and don't socialise or form relationships because of the way people react to the appearance of their skin.

About two per cent of the UK population have psoriasis, and men and women are equally affected.

The condition can occur at any age, but it mostly occurs between the ages of ten and 40, often during puberty.

Psoriasis can run in families but often skips a generation. It isn't contagious and isn't caused by poor hygiene.

Psoriasis affects up to one in 50 children, but it's rarely seen in children under two years old.

A type of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis is common in children and often follows an upper respiratory infection. It produces small, raindrop-like patches across the upper trunk and limbs that last a few months.

Children suffering from psoriasis appear to have lost control of cell turnover, with skin cells reproducing faster than old ones are shed. This leads to layers of skin piling up, with the old silvery scales of dead cells on the surface forming the characteristic patches.

First-line treatments include emollients, skin softeners and topical drug therapy applied to the skin, such as vitamin D derivatives, tar preparations, steroids, dithranol preparations and vitamin A derivatives.

Ultraviolet B light therapy, systemic medication (methotrexate, ciclosporin, aitretin, hydroxycarbamide), and biologics designed to block specific molecules in the immune system that trigger development of psoriasis (etanercept, infliximab, efalizumab) may be used under specialist hospital supervision.

Complementary therapies for treating psoriasis include acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal therapy.

The Psoriasis Association

Tel: 0845 676 0076
Email: mail@psoriasis.demon.co.uk
Website: www.psoriasis-association.org.uk

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance

Tel: 0870 770 3212
Email: info@papaa.org
Website: www.papaa.org

Psoriasis Scotland

Tel: 0131 556 4117
Website: www.psoriasisscotland.org.uk

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.