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If you’ve ever noticed inflamed, scaly patches on your body and wondered what they were (and what you should do about them), psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder that causes scaly rashes on the skin, may be the cause.
While there are a number of treatment options available for psoriasis, the scaly patches that can develop all over your body can be a bit scary. We get it, which is why we spoke with a slew of skin experts on all things psoriasis, including what you should (and definitely should not) do if you suspect you might have it.
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Body & Mind Guide
Symptoms, treatment options, and personal experiences for various physical, mental, and health conditions and concerns.
Meet The Experts:
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
- Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California.
- Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Brooklyn, New York.
In This Story:
What is psoriasis?
Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, explains it in the simplest terms: “Psoriasis is a condition in which the immune system gets angry at the skin, leading to red, scaly plaques,” he says. Usually, you’ll see these plaques on the elbows and knees, but psoriasis can appear anywhere, including the scalp, lower back, nails, and even the genitals.
Want to get even more specific? Psoriasis “is a genetic, autoimmune, inflammatory condition in which your skin cells divide too quickly and do not shed quickly enough,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California. These extra cells (that don’t get shed fast enough) are what create the inflamed, scaly plaques on the surface of the skin. Psoriasis is considered to be a common and chronic condition, meaning that it’s usually a lifelong disease and that flare-ups can come and go at any time.
Even though symptoms mainly manifest on the skin, the condition isn’t only skin deep — it is an autoimmune disorder. Having psoriasis can also make you more susceptible to developing other diseases. According to Shainhouse, psoriasis is often associated with psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides, increased risk for heart disease, and obesity. So, if the superficial aspect of psoriasis isn’t enough to get you to a doctor, all of the aforementioned reasons should be.