Psoriasis

Key messages

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system that develops when the body makes skin cells too quickly, causing skin cells to pile up and form visible patches or spots on the skin. (1-6)

• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be associated with other diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and depression, so it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist if you have symptoms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. (2,7-11)

  • Healthy lifestyle choices that can help reduce psoriasis flares include eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress, getting an adequate amount of sleep, staying hydrated, moisturizing your skin, not smoking, and avoiding triggers.

• See a board-certified dermatologist for the successful diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.

  • Treatment can relieve symptoms like itching, can help you see clearer (or clear) skin, and prevent psoriasis from worsening. (1-6)

  • To find a board-certified dermatologist, visit aad.org/findaderm.

Supporting messages

• Bridge to these messages by using phrases like: “It’s important to know,” “I want to emphasize,” “Many may not know,” “Let me share what I’ve been seeing.” Build off these messages by leveraging your expertise about this topic.

• Psoriasis occurs in people of all ages but is primarily seen in adults, with the highest proportion between ages 45 and 64. (12)

• Psoriasis mostly affects the skin and joints, but it also may affect the fingernails, the toenails, the genitals and the inside of the mouth.

• Scientists and dermatologists are still trying to determine exactly how psoriasis develops.

• They have learned that a person’s immune system and genes play a role in causing psoriasis.

• Psoriasis isn’t contagious.

Psoriasis facts

• Psoriasis affects nearly 7.5 million people in the United States. (7,13)

• The most common form of psoriasis, affecting about 80-90% of psoriasis patients, is plaque psoriasis. It is characterized by patches of raised, reddish skin covered with silvery-white scale. (1)

• Approximately 25-30% of people with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis. (14-16)

Treatment options

• Topical treatments are helpful for mild to moderate psoriasis but do not tend to be effective for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. (6,17)

• Psoriasis patients with moderate to severe psoriasis can be treated with traditional systemic medications, which work throughout the body; biologic medications, which also work throughout the body, targeting specific parts of your immune system; or phototherapy, which utilizes UV light. (1,3-5,7,18,19)

• In cases of more extensive psoriasis, topical agents may be used in combination with phototherapy, or traditional systemic or biologic medications. (1,3-7,18,19)

Related Academy resources for the public

References

1. Menter A, Strober BE, Kaplan DH, et al. Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2019;80(4):1029-1072. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.057

2. Elmets CA, Leonardi CL, Davis DMR, et al. Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with awareness and attention to comorbidities. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2019;80(4):1073-1113. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.058

3. Elmets CA, Lim HW, Stoff B, et al. Joint American Academy of Dermatology-National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2019;81(3):775-804. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.04.042

4. Menter A, Cordoro KM, Davis DMR, et al. Joint American Academy of Dermatology-National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis in pediatric patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2020;82(1):161-201. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.049

5. Menter A, Gelfand JM, Connor C, et al. Joint American Academy of Dermatology-National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis with systemic nonbiologic therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 2020;82(6):1445-1486. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.044

6. Elmets CA, Korman NJ, Prater EF, et al. Joint AAD-NPF Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 2021;84(2):432-470. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.087

7. Menter A, Gottlieb A, Feldman SR, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 1. Overview of psoriasis and guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 2008;58(5):826-50. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2008.02.039

8. Zhang L, Wang Y, Qiu L, Wu J. Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease risk in European and East Asian populations: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization analysis. BMC Med. Nov 1 2022;20(1):421. doi:10.1186/s12916-022-02617-5

9. Fu Y, Lee CH, Chi CC. Association of Psoriasis With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. Dec 1 2018;154(12):1417-1423. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.3631

10. Singh S, Taylor C, Kornmehl H, Armstrong AW. Psoriasis and suicidality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2017;77(3):425-440.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.019

11. Mamizadeh M, Tardeh Z, Azami M. The association between psoriasis and diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Metab Syndr. Mar-Apr 2019;13(2):1405-1412. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2019.01.009

12. Lim HW, Collins SAB, Resneck JS, Jr., et al. The burden of skin disease in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 2017;76(5):958-972 e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.12.043

13. Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM. Psoriasis Prevalence in Adults in the United States. JAMA Dermatology. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007

14. Ranza R, Carneiro S, Qureshi AA, et al. Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in a large cohort of Brazilian patients with psoriasis. J Rheumatol. May 2015;42(5):829-34. doi:10.3899/jrheum.140474

15. Mease PJ, Gladman DD, Papp KA, et al. Prevalence of rheumatologist-diagnosed psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis in European/North American dermatology clinics. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 2013;69(5):729-735. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.07.023

16. Alinaghi F, Calov M, Kristensen LE, et al. Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2019;80(1):251-265 e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.027

17. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2009;60(4):643-59. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2008.12.032

18. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2010;62(1):114-135. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.08.026

19. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 4. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with traditional systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2009;61(3):451-85. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.03.027

Last updated: 12/04/24