The 10th Annual World Psoriasis Day is October 29th!

Psoriasis is the most common auto-immune disease in the United States, affecting about 2.2% of the population - or 7.5 million people. While it usually develops between the ages of 15 and 25, people of all ages can develop psoriasis.

What It Looks Like

On the surface, psoriasis typically appears as raised, red patches with silvery-white buildup, though it can take other visual forms such as red dots or flat and shiny inflammed patches. These patches - called plaques - can appear anywhere but are usually found on the outsides of the elbows and knees or on the scalp. The most common form of psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris which shows up as the raised, well-defined red plaques.

What Causes It

A normal skin cell matures in about 30 days, and then it is shed unnoticed. With psoriasis, the immune system is triggered mistakenly - which causes the inflammation and redness - and the skin cells begin to mature in about 7 days but are not shed. Instead, these skin cells start piling up on the top layer of the skin which causes the raised sections and silvery-white buildup.

The Effects

Psoriasis plaques can be extremely uncomfortable and itchy. In some moderate to severe instances, these plaques can even crack and bleed. In addition, about 30% of those who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis which wreaks havoc on both the joints and the skin. The development of a particularly severe type of psoriasis called erythodermic psoriasis can be fatal as it is essentially an inflammation of the entire body.

The Treatments

There are many medical treatments available that involve injections and oral medications. In addition, there are topical treatments that can be obtained over the counter or through a medical professional. We carry gels, creams, and body treatments that can help lessen the outer effects of psoriasis and make life with psoriasis more comfortable. Look for products with ingredients such as salicylic acid, vitamin A, jojoba, aloe vera, or capsaicin which help soothe the skin.