Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a congenital skin condition.
It is a chronic skin disease in which scaly pink patches form on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other parts of the body. It is one of the commonest skin diseases in Britain, affecting about 2% of the population (cause unknown). It often runs in families, the commonest time of onset being in adolesence.
Psoriasis sometimes occurs in association with arthritis. Sometimes psoriasis can be very severe, affecting much of the skin and causing considerable inconvenience and disability to the sufferer.
While psychological stress can make psoriasis worse, the only significant event thought to precipitate this condition is a preceeding streptococcal infection.
See also skin conditions and disorders (all on one page). This may interest students of massage, reflexology, holistic treatments of various types, beauty therapies, and other health related courses.
Further information about skin includes the structure of skin (with diagram), an explanation of what dermatology means and includes and textbooks about dermatology.
