Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects an estimated one in fifty adults. The people who have psoriasis will suffer emotionally as well as physically. Even though psoriasis presents itself in the form of a skin condition, it is actually an affliction of the immune system. Individuals whose parents or grandparents suffer from psoriasis will have an increased risk of getting it. The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis presents itself as round or irregular patches covering the skin with scaly, silver colored “plaques”. The patchy areas have no consistent shape or size and sometimes run together so that they look like one big patch of diseased skin. The areas can become craked and flaky and may start bleeding. They may also itch and burn.

Flare ups from plaque psoriasis may last one week or several weeks. There is no rule on how long one may suffer. And because psoriasis is a chronic condition, the flare ups may reappear to the same area over and over again.

The most frequently affected areas of the body are the head, elbows, knees and torso, though any body part can develop psoriasis. It is interesting to note that flare ups are ususally balanced in that both sides of the body will be affected at the same time in the same area.

T-cells are needed by our bodies to produce the white blood cells that fight infection for us. These T-cells cause an inflammation of the skin and an overproduction of skin cells. The surplus of skin cells just pile up on one another and cause the raised patches that are plaque psoriasis. Increased blood flow to these raised areas causes the red, irritated look.

Infections and stress are common triggers of psoriasis. Cigarette smoking and consuming alcohol also increases the chances of developing psoriasis.

Though there is no cure available yet for psoriasis, there are several natural remedies and creams like Dermasis available to help the afflicted get through a flare up. In more severe cases, medications that can only be prescribed by a doctor may be needed.