PG
1
1
Moderate severity
· Dermatology
Psoriasis
Auto-immune scaly plaques
Immune cells trigger skin to renew every 4 days instead of 28, piling up silvery scales. Linked to joint disease and heart risk.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- About 2% of Indians
- Typical age
- Often 15–35 years
- Outlook
- Manageable, lifelong
- System
- Skin
Reviewed by a verified Dermatology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Genetic susceptibility
- Streptococcal infection trigger
- Stress, smoking, alcohol
- Certain drugs (beta-blockers, lithium)
- Vitamin D deficiency
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Well-defined red plaques with silvery scale
- Itch and burning
- Nail pitting, separation
- Joint pain (psoriatic arthritis)
- Bleeding when scale removed
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Emollients + topical steroids
- Vitamin D analogues (calcipotriol)
- Phototherapy (UVB)
- Methotrexate or cyclosporine
- Biologics (anti-TNF, anti-IL-17, anti-IL-23)
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Manage weight and metabolic risk
- Stop smoking, limit alcohol
- Cope with stress proactively
- Treat strep infections quickly
Do’s
- Moisturize daily
- Get 15 min sun (gentle)
- Manage joint pain early
- Screen for heart disease yearly
Don’ts
- Scratch plaques (Koebner phenomenon)
- Stop biologic without doctor
- Sunburn on plaques
- Take oral steroids — can flare badly
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.