What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition. It causes raised, red patches (plaques) on your skin that look silvery. The red patches may show up anywhere on your body. They can be any size or shape.

Psoriasis can come and go. It can range from mild to very bad. It cannot be passed from one person to another (not contagious). There is no cure for this condition, but it can be helped with treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

Skin Care

• Apply moisturizers to your skin as needed. Only use those that your doctor has said are okay.
• Apply cool compresses to the affected areas.
• Do not scratch your skin.

Lifestyle

• Do not use tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Drink little or no alcohol.
• Try to lower your stress. Meditation or yoga may help.
• Get sun as told by your doctor. Do not get sunburned.
• Think about joining a psoriasis support group.

Medicines

• Take or use over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take or use it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if your condition starts to get better.

General instructions

• Keep a journal. Use this to help track what triggers an outbreak. Try to avoid any triggers.
• See a counselor or social worker if you feel very sad, upset, or hopeless about your condition and these feelings affect your work or relationships.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your pain gets worse.
• You have more redness or warmth in the affected areas.
• You have new pain or stiffness in your joints.
• Your pain or stiffness in your joints gets worse.
• Your nails start to break easily.
• Your nails pull away from the nail bed easily.
• You have a fever.
• You feel very sad (depressed).