Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, scaly, silvery patches on the skin. It commonly affects the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, but can appear anywhere on the body.
Signs and symptoms
Psoriasis commonly presents with the following signs. Not every patient shows all of them — an in-person examination by a dermatologist is what confirms the diagnosis.
Dry, Cracked Skin
Skin that feels rough, tight, and flaky with visible cracks or fissures, often accompanied by mild pain or bleeding in severe cases.
Affected area: hands, feet, elbows, knees
Itching (Pruritus)
Persistent urge to scratch the skin, which may be localised to a specific area or generalised across the body. Itching can range from mild to severe and may worsen at night.
Affected area: skin (any area)
Redness (Erythema)
Visible redness of the skin caused by increased blood flow to the area, often associated with inflammation, irritation, or infection.
Affected area: skin (any area)
Scaly Patches
Raised, thickened areas of skin covered with silvery-white or greyish scales that may crack or bleed when removed.
Affected area: scalp, elbows, knees, lower back
Causes
An overactive immune system accelerates skin cell production. Triggers include stress, infections, cold weather, certain medications, and skin injuries.
Treatment approach
We manage psoriasis through targeted topical therapies (corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues), systemic medications for moderate-to-severe cases, and phototherapy. Our focus is on long-term management and flare prevention through a personalised care plan that includes lifestyle modifications and trigger avoidance.
Common questions
Does psoriasis ever go away permanently?
Psoriasis tends to come and go in flares rather than disappear once and for all. Treatment aims to clear a flare and then to lengthen the quiet periods between flares, and many patients live for long stretches with little or no visible disease. Anyone offering a permanent cure for psoriasis is not describing the condition accurately.
Does diet affect psoriasis?
Diet is not the cause of psoriasis, and no food will clear it on its own. That said, flares are more common in patients who are under stress, who smoke, or who drink alcohol regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight does appear to help treatment work better. We would rather a patient spend their money on consistent treatment than on an expensive elimination diet that has not been shown to change the disease.