WHO GETS PSORIASIS?
Between 5.8 and 7.5 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis. That’s about 2.5% of the U.S. population. It is estimated that 80% of the patients suffer from plague psoriasis. Psoriasis affects men and women equally and across all socioeconomic groups. Although it may strike at any age, the most common age of onset is 15-20 years with a second smaller peak at 55-60 years.
People with early onset are most likely to experience widespread and re-occurring psoriasis than those for whom psoriasis occurs later in life.
What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic, immune system-related disease causing inflammation and damage to involved tissue, primarily the skin – though it can affect the skin anywhere on the body, psoriasis most often appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, the palms and the soles of the feet. It can also affect fingernails and toenails.
What Causes Psoriasis? In Psoriasis, skin cells move up from below the surface and pile up on the outer layer before they have a chance to mature normally. Usually it takes about a month for cells to move to the surface, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days leading to characteristic plaques. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disorder in which a certain type of cell called a
T-lymphocyte becomes overactive and initiates a series of biochemical events leading to inflammation.
Best Treatment/Diagnosis? See a dermatologist.