Psoriasis

Key points
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which new skin cells grow too fast.
- If you've been diagnosed with psoriasis, there are several things you can do to help manage flare-ups.
- * Keep your skin moist. * Apply creams and ointments slowly and gradually in the direction of your hair's growth. * Avoid using very hot water when bathing or showering. * Use mild soaps and deodorants. * Use brushes with soft bristles.
- This causes thick, dry, scaly patches of skin to form in areas where the old skin hasn't shed quickly enough.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which new skin cells grow too fast. This causes thick, dry, scaly patches of skin to form in areas where the old skin hasn't shed quickly enough.
If you've been diagnosed with psoriasis, there are several things you can do to help manage flare-ups.
Health Canada suggests you:
* Keep your skin moist.
* Apply creams and ointments slowly and gradually in the direction of your hair's growth.
* Avoid using very hot water when bathing or showering.
* Use mild soaps and deodorants.
* Use brushes with soft bristles. Wash your hair gently and let it dry naturally whenever possible.
* Avoid picking or scratching skin and skin injuries. An injury to the skin can cause psoriasis patches to form at the site.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Skin, Hair & Beauty →
NewsPlaque Psoriasis
This is the most common type of psoriasis. It typically appears as thick, flaky patches of skin on one or more parts of the body. Sometimes the patches of affected skin are large, extending over much of the body. The…
9 January 2005
NewsPsoriasis my yield to modified anti-anxiety drug
A new benzodiazepine derivative, called Bz-423, holds promise for treating psoriasis without being toxic to normal cells, a research team at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor reports. Psoriasis is a scaly skin…
17 December 2004
NewsMice study opens door to psoriasis treatment
Researchers said on Sunday they may have discovered what causes psoriasis, a common and irritating skin ailment, and said their findings may open the way to an effective treatment. They found that it takes a combination…
13 December 2004
