Psoriasis is a skin condition which is caused by an overproduction of skin cells. The patches of skin appear red and patchy and can appear anywhere on the body and are not limited to any particular area. What happens in psoriasis is that the skin cells which normally take a month to produce and reach the upper surface of the skin go into overdrive and the entire cycle takes days instead to the month. Silvery scales of dead skin cells start to appear on the body. They can be quite thick and at times are itchy and painful. Psoriasis comes and goes there are times when it is more pronounced and at other times it just goes away. For some people who have psoriasis it is just a nuisance and for others it can become a psychological issue. Psoriasis can be quite disturbing when it is related with arthritis. There is no cure for psoriasis and it is one of the oldest yet most little known about skin diseases. Over the counter available cortisone creams and exposing the affected skin to sunlight can offer some relief.

Psoriasis can vary from person to person and there is no uniformity about it. One can have red skin patches covered with silvery scales, there can be small scaly spots (in children), dry and cracked skin that can bleed, itching, burning, or nail psoriasis, genital psoriasis, so it can virtually appear on any part of the body. In nail psoriasis cross lines and cracks form in the nails and the skin under the nails tends to swell. Psoriasis can be quite a nuisance as it comes and goes at will and at times go into long periods of recession. However anyone who has it can be sure that it will reappear as there is no known and permanent cure for it. Scalp psoriasis happens when one scratches the head and finds patches of skin coming over, initially one may mistake it for dandruff and it is only on closer examination that one gets to known that it is scalp psoriasis.

What causes psoriasis is not clear and research has linked it to being a genetic disorder and environmental factor. Excess consumption of alcohol, smoking, environment, injury and stress have all been pointed out as causing psoriasis. But what exactly triggers psoriasis is still very much unknown. The question of when should one consult a doctor in case of psoriasis is quite simple to answer as once it happens to cross the stage of being a nuisance one should consult a doctor. Most times the doctor will just do a physical examination and may require a skin biopsy. The biopsy helps in determining the psoriasis type that one has, as there are different types, like guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis occurs most commonly after one has suffered a sore throat infection and tiny red drop bumps form on the skin. Pustular psoriasis are small pus filled bumps on the skin and are classified as either acute, chronic or in between. There are several other types of psoriasis also that occur. There is some research that has been done on psoriasis vitamin b12 deficiency, but it is not proven as yet if a deficiency of vitamin b12 is a known cause in psoriasis. Usually the complications that can occur with psoriasis is that over scratching the area can cause bleeding, in case of severe attack in can lead to depression, anxiety and stress.

Most topical medication is given to break the cycle of the over production of skin cells and the dosage depends on the severity of the attack and type of psoriasis. A doctor will prescribe the medication and what one can do is use a moisturizer to soothe the itching, stop smoking and alcohol consumption, take daily baths using dead sea salt or Epsom salts, avoid harsh soaps and hot water. Cover the affected area at night and apply an over the counter cortisone.