Scaly Skin – What Causes Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes dry, scaly patches to form on the skin.” It causes the skin to be red. The patches can be itchy and sometimes painful. They may also bleed or ooze fluid. “It’s a common condition that affects about 2% of the population.” It can affect any part of the body, but it’s most commonly seen on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. According to National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is not contagious, and it’s not a sign of poor hygiene.

Types of psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis: a study of psoriasis types indicates plague psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. This type causes dry, red, scaly patches on the skin.

Guttate psoriasis: this type is characterized by small, drop-like lesions on the skin.

Pustular psoriasis: characterized by small, pus-filled blisters on the skin.

Inverse psoriasis: which is a type that causes smooth, red lesions in skin folds, such as the armpits and groin.

Erythrodermic psoriasis: this type causes widespread inflammation and peeling of the skin. The final type is called nail psoriasis, which affects the fingernails and toenails.

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Causes of psoriasis

• According to medical research, one of the main causes of psoriasis is thought to be a problem with the immune system. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, which causes them to multiply too quickly. This results in the formation of the red, scaly patches that are characteristic of psoriasis.
• Another possible cause may be genetics. 
• Obesity is thought to be a risk factor for psoriasis because excess body fat can lead to inflammation, which is believed to play a role in the development of the condition.
• Smoking is also a risk factor, as it has been shown to increase the severity of psoriasis.
• Infections, such as strep throat, have also been linked to psoriasis.
• Some medications, such as lithium and beta-blockers, have been found to trigger or worsen psoriasis.

Symptoms of psoriasis

According to clinical descriptions, these are the common symptoms of psoriasis:

• Dry, red, scaly patches
• Itching, burning, and soreness.
• People with psoriasis may also experience joint pain, fatigue, and depression.
• Thickened, discolored, and brittle nails.

How psoriasis is diagnosed?

Typically, a doctor will examine the skin and ask about the person’s medical history. Several laboratory tests may be required which may involves taking a small sample of the skin for examination under a microscope or in some cases, a blood test may also be performed to check for certain markers of psoriasis.

Treatment options for psoriasis

According to treatment guidelines, there are a variety of treatments available, including topical creams, light therapy, and systemic medications. Topical creams, such as corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, can be applied directly to the skin to help reduce inflammation and clear up the lesions. Light therapy involves exposing the skin to certain wavelengths of light. And systemic medications, such as biologics and retinoids, are taken orally or by injection to help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Some of the possible side effects of psoriasis treatment

• A  study of topical creams shows they can sometimes cause skin irritation, including dryness, burning, or stinging.
• Light therapy may cause sunburn-like symptoms, such as redness and peeling.
• Systemic medications can have a number of potential side effects, such as liver problems, reduced immune function, and an increased risk of infection.

Lifestyle changes that can help manage psoriasis.

Studies have shown that the following lifestyle changes can help with the management of psoriasis:

• Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and getting regular exercise have all been shown to help reduce the severity of psoriasis.
• Stress management can be important, as stress can trigger or worsen the condition.
• Getting enough sleep can also be beneficial, as sleep deprivation has been linked to psoriasis flares.
• A healthy diet for people with psoriasis should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limiting alcohol and sugar intake can also be beneficial. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish and flaxseed, can help reduce inflammation and improve psoriasis symptoms.

Skin care tips for people with psoriasis

Keep the skin moisturized

It is advised that people with psoriasis keep the skin well-moisturized, as dry skin can trigger or worsen the condition. A moisturizing cream or ointment can be applied to the skin regularly to help keep it hydrated. It’s also important to avoid irritating the skin, so using gentle, fragrance-free soaps and laundry detergents is recommended.

Avoid hot water bath

In an article by Mayo Clinic, another skincare tip is to take lukewarm showers or baths instead of hot ones. Hot water can dry out the skin and make psoriasis worse. After showering or bathing, it’s also important to pat the skin dry instead of rubbing it, as rubbing can irritate the skin. And wearing loose-fitting, breathable fabrics can help keep the skin from getting too dry or irritated.

Spend some time under the sunlight

A study of sunlight effects shows that sunlight can help improve psoriasis symptoms, spending time outdoors can be beneficial. However, it’s important to use sunscreen to protect the skin from sun damage. Also, dry air can be irritating to the skin, so using a humidifier can help keep the air moist. And avoiding extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can help prevent psoriasis flares.

Supplements that can help with psoriasis

It is thought that certain supplements may be helpful for managing psoriasis. Fish oil, turmeric, and aloe vera have all been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce psoriasis symptoms. However, It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, as they can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone.

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References

1.  Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2015. https://www.elsevier.com/books/clinical-dermatology/habif/978-0-323-26183-8.
2. National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation website. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/. Accessed April 9, 2025.

    
3. Parisi R, Iskandar IYK, Kontopantelis E, et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: systematic analysis and modelling study. BMJ. 2020;369:m1590. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1590. https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1590.
4. Griffiths CEM, Barker JNWN. Psoriasis. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2018:138-157. https://www.elsevier.com/books/dermatology/bolognia/978-0-7020-6275-9.
5. Menter A, Gottlieb A, Feldman SR, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 1. Overview of psoriasis and guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(5):826-850. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2008.02.039. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(08)00273-8/fulltext.
6. Nestle FO, Kaplan DH, Barker J. Psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(5):496-509. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0804595. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0804595.
7. Healthline. Psoriasis and obesity: what’s the connection? Healthline website. https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-and-obesity. Published March 15, 2022. Accessed April 9, 2025.
8. Lebwohl M. Psoriasis. 2nd ed. CRC Press; 2017. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.1201/9781315119298/psoriasis-mark-lebwohl.
9. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(5):838-864. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.11.021. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(09)01563-5/fulltext.
10. Mayo Clinic. Psoriasis: lifestyle and home remedies. Mayo Clinic website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355845. Published January 12, 2023. Accessed April 9, 2025.