Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects 8 million people in the U.S. While much is known about psoriasis, no one knows the cause. Skin injury, emotional stress and some forms of infection often trigger its development. Psoriasis can develop at any age. It can occur for the first time in elderly people, and it also strikes children. About 150,000 new cases of psoriasis are diagnosed each year.

Psoriasis usually appears as a thick, silvery skin patch, often on the knees or elbows. These patches or "plaques" are composed of dead skin cells which accumulate in layers. Normal skin cells mature in twenty-eight to thirty days; psoriatic cells form in six to eight days! Sometimes only a few psoriatic plaques may be present, but sometimes a large part of the body is involved. At its worst, sloughing off of all of the skin may occur, but fortunately, this is rare.

For many sufferers of this disease, control is possible. Some psoriatics may be free of symptoms for long periods of time, and in some cases the disease may disappear entirely. Medication and periodic office visits may be necessary to achieve control of psoriasis. External and internal medications are prescribed depending on the type of psoriasis, its extent and duration. There are medications for this type of arthritis, referral to an arthritis specialist may be recommended.

Much research to prevent and treat psoriasis is going on today. It is hoped that in the future, this research will lead to a simple cure. If you have questions about psoriasis, please call the office at any time.

For additional information you may wish to write:

The National Psoriasis Foundation

6415 Southwest Canyon County, Suite 110

Portland, Oregon 97221