This is psoriasis

About 2-3% of all people suffer from psoriasis to a certain degree. Thankfully only about 10% of those affected suffer from a severe form. Men and women are affected with equal frequency.

Psoriasis generally manifests itself in the form of dry, rough skin with red, scaly and frequently itchy patches, known as plaques. These are thicker than and clearly separated from the surrounding skin. The scales are sliver in colour and cover the whole red area. The symptoms usually occur on the elbow, the legs or the scalp.

The immune system plays a significant role in the occurrence of the disease. In the case of a psoriasis flare-up, the immune cells react in the same way as they do to a skin injury: they trigger inflammatory reactions in the skin and accelerate skin renewal procedures. This results in the constant development of an excessive number of new skin cells.

Normally, the epidermis renews itself within four weeks. In patients with psoriasis, this only takes three to four days. This is what causes the typically scaly psoriasis plaques to develop.

There are several degrees of severity of plaque psoriasis, ranging from mild psoriasis where only small areas of skin are affected, to severe psoriasis where almost the whole skin surface is covered.

Skin symptoms tend to be seasonal with an improvement in the summer months. In addition to the skin and nails. Internal organs, vessels and joints may also be affected by the inflammation.