Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition

• Skin replacement process normally takes 21-28 days, but in psoriasis this speeds up
• The rapidly forming skin cells accumulate to form plaques

Cause

The specific triggers that cause psoriasis are unknown, but thought  to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Treatment

• Moisturisers do not treat psoriasis but help
  1.Reduces cracking, scaling, soreness, dryness and itching making the skin much more comfortable
  2.Allow topical treatments you use to be better absorbed
• Vitamin D: Topical encourage normal skin growth
• Topical Steroids: Short term treatment in lower coverage or current flaring
• Coal Tar: Has anti-inflammatory and anti-scaling properties
• Dithranol: Has anti-inflammatory properties and slows down the over production of skin cells

Although only licensed for atopic eczema, Calcineurin Inhibitors may be used off licence to reduce inflammation in psoriasis