Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with Psoriasis experience thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches (scales).
The epidermis usually sheds its cells every 28 days. In people with psoriasis, this process occurs too fast (2 weeks instead of 4 weeks) resulting in a build up of dead flaky cells on the skin’s surface.
Psoriasis has been shown to have a hereditary link. However, it is evident that this skin condition can be exacerbated by a number of co-factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies (fatty acids), drugs (beta blockers), chemical substances or climate factors.
In general, psoriasis may be severe in people who have a weakened immune system such as those with AIDS, Autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis) and Cancer or those undergoing chemotherapy.