Psoriasis is a chronic (long lasting) autoimmune disease – the body’s immune system is mistakenly reacting to some of your own body’s cells. With normal skin, your body produces new skin cells and sheds the old every 28 to 30 days. Skin cells affected by Psoriasis are produced much faster and are pushed to the skin’s surface in about 3 to 4 days, while the dead skin cells on the surface pile up on the top of each other instead of falling away on their own. The resulting build up forms the dry, scaly, red, itchy patches called plaque.  Psoriasis affects 1-3 % of the world’s population irrespective of age / caste / sex / geography etc.

Despite being one of the most extensively research subjects in medicine, the aetiology and pathogeneses of Psoriasis remain ill understood. Broadly it is assumed that it could be due to stress or faulty diets or heredity.

Psoriasis signs and symptoms are different for everyone. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
• Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• Itching, burning or soreness
• Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
• Swollen and stiff joints

Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas.

There are several types of psoriasis. These include:

• Plaque psoriasis.The most common form, plaque psoriasis causes dry, raised, red skin lesions (plaques) covered with silvery scales. The plaques might be itchy or painful and there may be few or many. They can occur anywhere on your body, including your genitals and the soft tissue inside your mouth.
• Nail psoriasis.Psoriasis can affect fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth and discoloration. Psoriatic nails might loosen and separate from the nail bed (onycholysis). Severe cases may cause the nail to crumble.
• Guttate psoriasis.This type primarily affects young adults and children. It’s usually triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It’s marked by small, water-drop-shaped, scaling lesions on your trunk, arms, legs and scalp.

The lesions are covered by a fine scale and aren’t as thick as typical plaques are. You may have a single outbreak that goes away on its own, or you may have repeated episodes.

• Inverse psoriasis.This mainly affects the skin in the armpits, in the groin, under the breasts and around the genitals. Inverse psoriasis causes smooth patches of red, inflamed skin that worsen with friction and sweating. Fungal infections may trigger this type of psoriasis.
• Pustular psoriasis.This uncommon form of psoriasis can occur in widespread patches (generalized pustular psoriasis) or in smaller areas on your hands, feet or fingertips.

It generally develops quickly, with pus-filled blisters appearing just hours after your skin becomes red and tender. The blisters may come and go frequently. Generalized pustular psoriasis can also cause fever, chills, severe itching and diarrhea.

• Erythrodermic psoriasis.The least common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis can cover your entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely.
• Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to inflamed, scaly skin, psoriatic arthritis causes swollen, painful joints that are typical of arthritis. Sometimes the joint symptoms are the first or only manifestation of psoriasis or at times only nail changes are seen. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint. Although the disease usually isn’t as crippling as other forms of arthritis, it can cause stiffness and progressive joint damage that in the most serious cases may lead to permanent deformity.

No Psoriasis is not a contagious disease.

Avoid dryness of the skin and use plenty of oil and oil based preparation for the skin

Avoid cold climates and extremes of climate.

Advisable to expose to good amount of Sunlight and prefer seaside with bright sunlight and develop outdoor activities.

Avoid alcohol / avoid smoking

Avoid applying irritant substances as they can precipitate new lesions.

Avoid stressful conditions and practice a stress free life.

Contact with skin of synthetic substances like cloth footwear etc are to be avoided.

Use of cotton cloths is recommended.