Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a hereditary skin disease, in which skin cells are produced more rapidly than normal, then build up on the skin.

The cells in the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) are continually dividing and being shed from our skin. This process normally takes 3-4 weeks, and we do not even notice it happening. However, in psoriasis sufferers the rate of cell turnover is dramatically increased – up to six times faster than normal – and the whole process takes just a few days instead of several weeks. The result is that large numbers of excess skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, instead of being shed in the normal way.

Who is most likely to suffer from psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a hereditary condition, so it tends to run in families. However, not all the children of a psoriasis sufferer will necessarily inherit the condition. A child has a one in four chance of developing it if one of the parents has it.

Around 2% of the UK population suffer from psoriasis. It can first appear anytime between early childhood and middle-age, most often starting between the ages of 10 and 30.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The excess skin cells build up on the skin to form raised pink or red patches. These are often covered with dead cells, which form fine, silvery scales attached to the surface of the skin.

The most common sites for psoriasis are the knees and elbows, and the trunk, though it can appear on other parts or the body, and in severe cases may cover extensive areas.

It can also occur on the scalp. It does not necessarily follow that if you suffer from body psoriasis you will also suffer from scalp psoriasis, and vice versa.

Psoriasis is a chronic, or long-term condition. However, you may not always have symptoms. In fact in some cases it can disappear for many years, though it may recur.