If you’ve ever had thick, reddish, scaly patches of skin you might have psoriasis. But what is psoriasis exactly? It is a chronic skin disorder that is fairly common, occurring in approximately 3% of the population. Any part of the skin may be affected but the most commonly affected areas are the knees, elbows, and scalp.

The severity of this skin disease can vary from person to person and treatment options also vary according to the severity of the condition. For most people, psoriasis tends to be mild with just a few lesions. In more severe cases the lesions cover a larger area of the skin and can also cause an itching and / or burning sensation that can be quite uncomfortable.

Psoriasis is not contagious so you don’t have to worry about anyone catching it from you. It is believed to be a genetic condition in which the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered and because of this, skin cells are produced very rapidly. Everyone is constantly shedding dead skin cells which are replaced with new ones. Normally, new skin cells mature over the course of about 3 to 4 weeks before they die off and are replaced.

In people with psoriasis, the replacement process is greatly accelerated and only takes about 2 to 6 days. Because of this acceleration, living cells and dead cells build up on the skin’s surface causing the thick, reddish, scaly appearance.

There are a number of different treatment options available and you should consult a dermatologist to diagnose your condition and suggest treatment options for you.