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.
HUMIRA is used to treat moderate to severe chronic (lasting a long time) plaque
psoriasis in adults who are under the ongoing care of a physician, have the condition
in many areas of their body, and who may benefit from taking injections or pills
(systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with
pills). When considering HUMIRA, your physician will determine if other systemic
therapies are medically less appropriate.
Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include
tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have
spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have been fatal.
Patients treated with HUMIRA also may be at risk for other serious side effects
including certain types of cancers, allergic reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation,
nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, and certain immune reactions,
including a lupus-like syndrome.
Please click here for additional Important Safety Information you should know about HUMIRA and discuss it with your doctor.
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 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. HUMIRA is used to reduce the signs and symptoms
of psoriatic arthritis in adults, may prevent further damage to your bones and joints,
and may help your ability to perform daily activities. HUMIRA can be used alone
or with certain other medicines.
Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include
tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have
spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have been fatal.
Patients treated with HUMIRA also may be at risk for other serious side effects
including certain types of cancers, allergic reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation,
nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, and certain immune reactions,
including a lupus-like syndrome.
Please click here for additional Important Safety Information you should know about HUMIRA and discuss it with your doctor.
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. Talk to your healthcare
professional about how you’re feeling, and consider joining a psoriasis
support group to connect with people who know what it’s like to live with
psoriasis.