What is psoriasis ?

Psoriasis [pronounced sorr-eye-iss-iss], also called PsO, is a chronic, or ongoing, disease that can appear anywhere on the body.^1,2 Psoriasis most commonly affects the skin, but can also affect the nails.² If you also have swollen, stiff or painful joints, you may have a form of inflammatory arthritis called psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sorr-eye-att-ick arth-rye-tiss] that can affect people with psoriasis.^3,4

In PsO, the body’s immune system gets ‘confused’ and attacks itself, making new skin cells grow and build up above and just below the surface of the skin.^6,8,9 This creates thick red or swollen patches of skin covered in silvery scales called ‘plaques’ that you may recognise^9,10 These patches can become inflamed, itchy and bleed,^9,11 affecting either small or large areas of skin,¹⁰ but it’s important to remember that PsO isn’t contagious.⁷

How psoriasis works^12,13

Moderate to severe PsO increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.¹⁵ Psoriasis is also associated with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and there is a small increased risk of skin cancer.¹⁵