Psoriasis
Evidence: T Cell
Names
Psoriasis
Description
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin
Patient Groups
Bloggers
Prevalence
US cases: 8 - 12 million [Rachakonda 2014]
Notes:
1. Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates.
2. Psoriasis also occurs in all racial groups, but at varying rates. (About 1.9 percent of African-Americans have psoriasis, compared to 3.6 percent of Caucasians).
Typical Age of onset
Psoriasis often develops between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age. About 10 to 15 percent of those with psoriasis get it before age 10. Some infants have psoriasis, although this is considered rare.
Symptoms
Plaques of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales.
Disorders of the fingernails and toenails (discoloration and pitting of the nails. The nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.)
Scaly plaques on the scalp.
Small areas of bleeding where the involved skin is scratched.
Source: WebMD
