About Psoriasis
What is psoriasis? Get the facts here.
Psoriasis is a lifelong skin disease affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans.
Psoriasis is NOT contagious.
There are several different types of psoriasis, but the most common type is called
plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis causes red, raised lesions (patches) that produce
dead, flaky skin cells (scale).
Psoriasis can affect any part of the body. Scalp psoriasis is quite common, affecting
at least half of all people with the condition. Other areas
commonly affected include:
- Knees
- Elbows
- Lower back
- Face
- And others
Psoriasis can cause irritating, embarrassing skin symptoms, but effective treatments are available. The type of treatment
depends on the location and severity of your psoriasis. Be sure to talk to your
doctor to determine which treatment might be right for you.
What Causes Psoriasis?
While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, researchers believe the protein TNF
(tumor necrosis factor), or TNF, is involved. We all have TNF in our bodies,
but in people with psoriasis, too much TNF is produced. This contributes to the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells leading to the formation of skin lesions.
Instead of maturing and falling off the body within about a month, like normal skin
cells, psoriatic skin cells take only 3-4 days to mature and surface. Instead of
falling off, the skin cells accumulate and form red, itchy, flaking skin patches (lesions).
Learn how biologic treatments,
like HUMIRA, can help block TNF, decreasing inflammation and improving skin symptoms.
The Link Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Up to 30% of people with psoriasis also get joint pain and stiffness. If you’re
experiencing stiffness and joint pain—as well as the skin symptoms of psoriasis—it
could mean you have a condition known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
PsA can cause progressive, disabling joint damage in addition to the red, itchy
skin lesions of psoriasis. But HUMIRA can treat the joint pain and stiffness
as well as the skin symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
If you suffer from both skin and joint symptoms, discuss this with your dermatologist. Learn more about
how HUMIRA can help treat PsA.
Beneath the Skin
You’ve learned about what psoriasis can do to the skin, but managing psoriasis is
more than skin deep. It’s important to manage the emotional side of psoriasis, too.
Talk to your healthcare professional about how you’re feeling emotionally, and consider joining a
psoriasis support group to connect with people who know what it’s like to
live with psoriasis.