Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis (suh-rye-ah-sis) is a condition that causes the body to make new skin cells in days rather than weeks. As these cells pile up on the surface of the skin, you may see thick, scaly patches.

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Plaques can appear anywhere on the skin, but you’re most likely to find them on the:

• Knees

• Elbows

• Lower back

• Scalp

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Plaques tend to vary in size. They may appear on the skin as a single patch or join together to cover a large area of skin. No matter the size, plaques tend to be itchy. Without treatment, the itch can become intense. Some people notice that their skin stings, burns, or feels painful and tight.