13 FAQs About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a complex condition that can leave you with many questions. We break down essential information about symptoms and management and clarify some common misconceptions.

Navigating life with psoriasis (PsO) can be challenging, but having clear answers to frequently asked questions can help you manage your condition more effectively and even improve your quality of life.

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What is psoriasis?

PsO is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects your skin, causing cells to multiply too quickly.

This leads to thick, scaly patches — known as plaques — to form. These patches can be itchy and sometimes painful. They often appear on elbows, knees, scalps, and lower backs, but they can occur on any part of the body.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. In psoriasis, skin cells are produced at a much faster rate than usual, which leads to the buildup of cells on the surface of the skin.

Psoriasis involves inflammation and overactive immune responses. It can be systemic, meaning it may affect the entire body.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No, psoriasis is not contagious.

PsO is not caused by an infection. This means it cannot be transmitted from person to person through physical contact, sharing personal items, or being in close proximity to someone who has it.

How common is psoriasis?

PsO is estimated to affect approximately 3% of U.S. adults — or more than 7.5 million people.

Is there a cure for psoriasis?

There’s currently no cure for PsO. But there are many treatments available that can provide you with significantly clear skin and even remission periods.

Are there different types of psoriasis?

Yes, there are 5 types of psoriasis:

• plaque psoriasis (the most common form)
• guttate psoriasis
• inverse psoriasis
• pustular psoriasis
• erythrodermic psoriasis (the rarest form)

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The symptoms of PsO vary by type, but they also share a few things in common, such as changes to your nails and joint pain. 

Plaque psoriasis

• raised patches of skin covered with scales
  • on light skin, patches are often red with silvery-white scales
  • on dark skin, patches may appear more violet or purple with shiny or silvery scales
• dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• itching, burning, or soreness in the affected areas
• patches commonly occur on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp but can occur anywhere on the body

Guttate psoriasis

• small, dot-like lesions
• lesions are often triggered by bacterial infections, such as strep throat
• lesions typically occur on the trunk, arms, and legs

Inverse psoriasis

• smooth patches of inflamed skin with redness or other color changes
• found in skin folds, such as under the breasts, in the groin, or around the genitals and buttocks
• can be aggravated by friction and sweating

Pustular psoriasis

• white pustules surrounded by redness or other color changes
• can be localized to certain areas such as the hands and feet (sometimes called palmoplantar PsO) or widespread over several areas of the body
• often accompanied by fever, chills, severe itching, and fatigue

Erythrodermic psoriasis

• widespread redness or other color changes that cover most of the body
• severe itching, burning, and peeling of the skin
• can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention

Symptoms found across all types of PsO

• Nail changes: Psoriasis can affect the nails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth, and discoloration. Nails may also become loose and separate from the nail bed (also known as onycholysis).
• Joint pain: Some people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes swollen and painful joints. Joint symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect any joint.
• Scalp psoriasis: Any type of psoriasis may happen on the scalp. It can extend beyond the hairline to the forehead, the back of the neck, and around the ears.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

PsO is diagnosed with a clinical examination where a medical professional will look at your skin and listen to your reported symptoms.

You may also need to provide other information, either verbally or with tests, such as:

• personal and family medical history
• results from a skin biopsy
• blood testing

In some cases, a specialist like a dermatologist may be the one who confirms your diagnosis and starts your treatment.

What are the treatment options for psoriasis?

Psoriasis treatments include topicals, oral or injected meds, and light therapy:

Topical treatments

• topical corticosteroids
• topical retinoids
• anthralin
• vitamin D analogs
• salicylic acid
• coal tar
• moisturizers and emollients
• aloe vera

Systemic medications (oral or injected)

• methotrexate
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
• biologics
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • guselkumab (Tremfya)
• oral retinoids, like acitretin (Soriatane)
• oral apremilast (Otezla)
• oral tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Light therapy

Phototherapy using ultraviolet (UV) light or natural sunlight can help people manage the overgrowth of skin cells.

How can I manage psoriasis flare-ups?

The best way to manage PsO flares is to seek medical treatment for your PsO itself and, ideally, find a treatment plan that achieves clearer skin or even remission of PsO plaques.

PsO can be tied to stress, too, so managing your stress — whether through regular mindfulness, meditation, or whatever works for you — can help you avoid flare-ups.

Smoking is another factor known to increase symptoms of psoriasis, so cutting back or quitting can help. You can get support to quit from medical professionals, as well as support groups, friends, and family.

Are there natural remedies for PsO?

Some natural remedies or complementary therapies may help manage symptoms of PsO. These include:

• UV therapy (sometimes called phototherapy)
• Indigo Naturalis
• aloe vera gel
• coconut oil
• acupuncture

Can diet affect PsO?

Making changes to your eating patterns or taking supplements can help some people with psoriasis. Food-wise, you can include:

• plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
• foods high in anthocyanin, including berries, cherries, plums, and some grapes
• foods high in epigallocatechin-3-gallate, commonly known as EGCG, including green tea, berries, cherries, and some nuts
• a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which includes salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, walnuts, flaxseed oil, and chia seeds
• foods with B. infantis (a probiotic), such as yogurt, olives, sauerkraut, salami, and cheese

Supplements sometimes used for PsO include:

• probiotics
• omega-3 supplements (available over the counter and by prescription)
• turmeric or curcumin

Is PsO different from eczema?

Yes, PsO is different from the skin condition eczema. The immune system plays a more significant role in PsO.

Psoriasis is also diagnosed slightly differently. With PsO, doctors do a clinical exam, take your medical history, and sometimes do a skin biopsy. Eczema is typically diagnosed based on your reported symptoms, medical history, and sometimes allergy testing.

Treatments are different, too. PsO is often treated in several ways — with topical creams, oral or injectable medications, UV therapy, and systemic medications. Eczema is usually treated with moisturizers, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, antihistamines for itching, and avoiding known triggers.

Takeaway

When it comes to living with PsO, knowledge is power. Having answers to some FAQs about PsO can help you better understand your diagnosis and better manage the symptoms that come with it.