Acne
Explore →
Psoriasis
Red, flaky patches from a recurring autoimmune condition, and treatment to ease them.
How referrals work
A referral from your doctor or nurse practitioner is required.
Psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin. Even though there’s no cure, many treatments exist to ease its symptoms.
Canadians affectedAbout 1 million
Most common typePlaque (about 80%)
Usually startsEarly adolescence
ContagiousNo
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a persistent skin disorder characterized by red, thickened areas with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, although it can appear anywhere on the body. It is a chronic condition that may feature periods of flare-up and remission. Approximately 1 million Canadians are affected.
The outbreaks, severity and chronic nature of psoriasis can make it debilitating and embarrassing for those who have it. It is not contagious. It affects both men and women and usually shows up in the early adolescent years. Psoriasis is often mistaken for other skin conditions such as dandruff, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
What causes psoriasis?
Even though it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins deep inside your body, in your immune system. It comes from your T cells, a type of white blood cell designed to protect the body from infection and disease. When these cells mistakenly become active and set off other immune responses, psoriasis symptoms can follow.
Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system and is thought to be a genetic disease triggered by environmental factors. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in the skin rise to the surface. Normally this takes about a month, but in people with psoriasis it happens in days because the cells rise too fast.
Types of psoriasis
There are several common types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis (the most common type), guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common form: an estimated 80 percent of people with psoriasis have it. It is characterized by thick red patches of skin, often with a silver or white scaly layer, which often appear on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.
Guttate psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is the second most common type, affecting 10 percent of people with psoriasis, and most often starts in childhood or young adulthood. It appears as small, separate, drop-shaped red spots, often on the torso and limbs but also on the face and scalp. The spots are usually not as thick as plaque psoriasis, but they can develop into plaque psoriasis over time.
Flexural (inverse) psoriasis
Flexural or inverse psoriasis often appears in skinfolds, such as under the breasts or in the armpits or groin, and is red and often shiny and smooth. Sweat and moisture in the skinfolds keep it from shedding skin scales, and it is sometimes misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection. The skin-on-skin contact can make inverse psoriasis very uncomfortable.
Pustular psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a severe form that develops fast, as many white pustules surrounded by red skin. It may affect isolated areas of the body, like the hands and feet, or cover most of the skin’s surface. The pustules can also join together and form scaling.
Your psoriasis treatment plan
We keep up with the medical treatment options for psoriasis, as well as the more natural ones. Treatment is individual, based on your health, age, lifestyle and the severity of your psoriasis. Dr. Rao will evaluate your psoriasis and give you the optimal treatment plan for you.
Referral required. Psoriasis care is a medical service, so in Alberta you need a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner. How referrals work. Live far from Edmonton? Ask your doctor about teledermatology.
More in Conditions
See a dermatologist.
Referral required. Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner to send us a referral. Already referred? Call 780-437-7189 to book.