Psoriasis can be described as chronic disorder of the skin known by reddish, scaly patches of inflammation. Psoriasis is normally found on the arms, legs, trunk, nails, or scalp, but it may be found on virtually any part of the skin. By far the most commonly affected areas are the knees and elbows.

Psoriasis is an immune system problem that impacts both males and females. Estimates vary but somewhere between 4.5 and 7.5 million people inside the U.S. have been diagnosed with psoriasis. 150,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Psoriasis is not contagious. It's not something you can "catch" or that others can catch from you. Psoriasis lesions are not infectious.

Thick, scaly, red plaques would be the hallmark of psoriasis. In psoriatic skin, the cells belonging to the outer layer (epidermis) multiply too rapidly, which causes skin to thicken. And also they stick to one another more strongly and for longer than normal skin cells do, leading to scaliness. The skin is infiltrated by white blood cells, causing inflammation, redness, and infrequently pustules.

Precisely why this happens isn't yet well understood, but genetics are clearly involved. Ancestors and family history can affect who's clinically determined to have psoriasis - if a parent has psoriasis, a child carries a 10 percent chance of developing it as well. However, the correct psoriasis triggers must exist before symptoms begin to appear.

Researchers now think that there could possibly be an ethnic link to Psoriasis, because it is most frequent in Caucasians throughout the US and Northern Europe. Furthermore, genetics seemingly plays a role. Researchers have shown that one-third of those diagnosed with psoriasis have at least one close relative with the condition. A study conducted in the US found the occurrence of psoriasis was 2.5% in Caucasians and 1.3% in African Americans.

Psoriasis could be mild or severe. When it's severe, it can adversely impact functions of daily lifestyle including work and social activities.

So far, there isn't any complete cure for psoriasis. The treatment of psoriasis depends upon its severity and location. Medical treatments cover anything from local (cortisone cream application, emollients, coal tar, anthralin formulations, and sun exposure) to systemic (internal medications, which includes methotrexate and cyclosporine).

In addition, there are various natural and alternative healthcare treatments based on psoriasis natural treatment which have proved to be effective. Every person with psoriasis is different. What is the best psoriasis treatment for one person may not work at all for another.