What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic condition usually characterized by red or silver-white scaly patches of skin where excess cells build up rapidly into thick layers and flake off. In addition to these patches or "lesions" on the skin -- or sometimes instead of them -- psoriasis can make fingernails and toenails pitted or even crumbly and can cause a form of arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis.
The cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the immune system. Living with psoriasis can be stressful, but most cases are not severe, and all can be treated. Many modern treatments allow people with psoriasis to control their symptoms very successfully -- and up to 25% of people with psoriasis have periods of remission, during which their skin clears up.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
