Psoriasis is a common skin condition.

Throughout our life we constantly produce new skin.

With psoriasis the skin cells are made more quickly (up to ten times more quickly) and immature skin cells are pushed up to the surface. The turnover of new skin cells is usually 28 days but with psoriasis it may only be two or three days. The build-up of the skin appears as red patches on the surface of the skin covered by a silvery or white scale.

Approximately two percent of the population in the UK have psoriasis.

The cause of psoriasis is unknown; however we do know that psoriasis runs in some families.

Psoriasis is not contagious and therefore cannot be caught from someone else with psoriasis. If you do have the tendency to develop psoriasis certain things can trigger it. These include:

  • Infection such as a sore throat
  • Damage to the skin such as a burn or scratch
  • Stress
  • Hormonal changes such as those that occur at puberty

Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which means for some children/teenagers it may reoccur throughout their life, so it is important to understand the condition, and the treatments, which are used.

Treatments

Most people with psoriasis start their treatment under the guidance of a General Practitioner (GP). Psoriasis treatment usually starts with topical creams (applied to the skin) treatments, which can come in different formulations (creams, ointments, gels, etc) and have different active ingredients.

Treatments include: emollients, vitamin D based topical creams, topical steroids, coal tar preparations, calcium inhibitors.

Patients will be assessed in the primary care dermatology department and either treated within the department or referred to secondary care for an alternative treatment.

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