Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis (suh-rye-ah-sis) is a condition that causes the body to make new skin cells in days rather than weeks. As these cells pile up on the surface of the skin, you may see thick, scaly patches.

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Plaques can appear anywhere on the skin, but you’re most likely to find them on the:

• Knees

• Elbows

• Lower back

• Scalp

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Plaques tend to vary in size. They may appear on the skin as a single patch or may cover a large area of skin. No matter the size, plaques can be itchy. Some people notice that their skin stings, burns, or feels painful and tight. If you are in pain and uncomfortable you should strongly consider treatment.