Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, causing it to develop thick, red patches covered with silvery scales. These patches, called plaques, often appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it is believed to be linked to genetic factors and an overactive immune system. This condition is not contagious, but it can be inherited, making it more common in people with a family history of psoriasis.

The body’s immune system is responsible for attacking healthy skin cells in psoriasis patients, resulting in accelerated skin cell turnover. Normally, skin cells are produced and shed over a period of weeks, but in people with psoriasis, this process happens in just a few days. This leads to the accumulation of dead skin cells, which form visible plaques on the skin.

There are several types of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis being the most common. Other types include guttate psoriasis, which appears as small, drop-shaped lesions, and pustular psoriasis, which causes white pustules surrounded by red skin. Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare and severe form that can cause widespread redness and shedding of skin.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments can help control symptoms. Topical treatments like corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, and moisturizers can reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. In more severe cases, doctors may recommend phototherapy, where ultraviolet light is used to slow down the rapid skin cell turnover. Systemic treatments, including oral medications and biologics, are prescribed for more advanced cases.