AUGUST IS PSORIASIS AWARENESS MONTH

PRESS RELEASES   7/30/2023

Once thought to be a skin disorder, psoriasis is now understood to be a condition originating in the immune system that can appear in many different forms and can affect any part of the body, including the nails and scalp. The patches may be silver or red. It is characterized by skin cells that multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. As underlying cells reach the skin's surface and die, their sheer volume causes raised, red patches covered with white scale. The skin flaking that occurs in psoriasis is known as scaling. At first, a few small, flaky patches - known as plaques - may appear. Often, the plaques gradually enlarge and increase in number. Though not contagious, psoriasis tends to run in families. Fair-skinned people from 10- to 40-years-old are particularly susceptible, especially those who have a blood relative suffering from the disorder. Psoriasis is extremely rare among people with dark skin. Symptoms of psoriasis include: •Patches of itchy, scaly skin develop, with the accumulation of dead skin cells. These deep-pink, raised patches of skin have white scales. •These patches develop on the scalp, knees, elbows, and upper body. However, when they can develop on fingernails and toenails, they become thick, pitted, and discolored; they may separate from underlying skin. If you would like more information on Psorasis, please feel free to contact our Dermatology and Laser Center at 850.474.8386.