Psoriasis is a common immune system disease that affects the skin. It can be painful and embarrassing, and people with psoriasis may find that others treat them differently during a flare-up.
Fast facts on psoriasis:
- Research suggests that some people develop psoriasis because of a genetic predisposition.
- Scratching itchy psoriasis does not cause psoriasis to spread.
- Psoriasis is not curable, but it is treatable.
Does psoriasis spread?
Psoriasis* does not spread between different people, but may spread to different areas on the body.
People who have never seen psoriasis* before may assume that it is infectious. However, psoriasis* is not a contagious disease, and the scaly patches it causes will not spread to another person.
However, psoriasis* often spreads from one location to another.
This is not because the damaged skin infects other parts of the body but because the immune system process that causes psoriasis can get worse.
Depending on the type of psoriasis* a person has, a psoriasis rash can develop in a variety of places on the body. Most people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis*. Plaque psoriasis* often spreads to the outer elbows, knees, and scalp, though it can spread anywhere.
A severe form of psoriasis* called erythrodermic psoriasis spreads over much of the body, causing bright red patches. This type of psoriasis* is rare and can be life-threatening, so people experiencing psoriasis* that spreads rapidly and is very red should see a doctor immediately.
Some people that have one type of psoriasis* may also develop a different kind of psoriasis, such as inverse psoriasis*. Inverse psoriasis* often shows up in skin folds, such as in the armpits.
People who have a genetic risk for psoriasis* might develop their first outbreak after coming into contact with a trigger. This means that a person’s psoriasis* is caused by an interaction between their genes, immune system, and environment.
Some common triggers for psoriasis* outbreaks include:
- skin injuries, including vaccines and sunburns
- stress
- infections, including both skin and other infections
- some medications, including lithium, drugs used to treat malaria, some heart and blood pressure medications, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug called Indomethacin.
Most people experience psoriasis* in the form of flare-ups. A psoriasis* flare may begin as a small patch that spreads, then gradually gets better. Most flare-ups are triggered by something.
Scratching a psoriasis* rash does not cause it to spread from one location to another. However, it may slow the healing process, creating the appearance that psoriasis* is spreading.
Psoriasis* is more likely to spread and become severe when it is left untreated. So treatment from a doctor who specializes in psoriasis* can significantly reduce the risk that psoriasis* will spread, or that the next flare-up will be worse than the last.
A family history of psoriasis*, having another immune system disorder, smoking, trauma to the skin, and exposure to many psoriasis* triggers are additional risk factors that might cause psoriasis to spread.
Managing and treating psoriasis
Treating psoriasis is the best strategy for preventing it from spreading. Treatment often involves a process of trial and error. What works for one person might not work for another, and a person’s treatment needs may change over time.
Some treatment options include:
Lotions
Moisturizing the skin will aid the healing process, and may reduce symptoms such as itching.
It is essential to moisturize the skin because it can speed the healing process and prevent itching. A range of moisturizing lotions that are suitable for psoriasis* are available without a prescription.
Tar shampoo and soap may also help. Ingredients that encourage old skin cells to fall off, such as salicylic acid, can reduce the appearance of flaky plaques. However, some of these products can be harsh on the skin, so getting advice from a professional can help determine the most suitable lotion.
Steroid creams, such as hydrocortisone, are also safe and effective for most people. They help with itching and can speed healing. Using steroid creams for a very long time may cause side effects, however, so talk to a doctor about the safe use of steroids.
Prescription medications
A wide range of prescription medications can help with psoriasis*. Topical steroid creams that are stronger than those available over-the-counter may help. Some other options include:
- antibiotics when psoriasis* plaques become infected
- systemic drugs, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine
- biologic medications, which are immune system drugs given through an injection or intravenously (IV)
- new treatments, such as apremilast, that target specific parts of immune cells
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is a light therapy that involves exposing skin to UVB light. In the first instance, a person will need to go to a clinic or doctor’s surgery for the treatment, but many people choose to continue the therapy at home. It is essential to use the correct equipment, which will require a prescription and to get regular medical checkups.
Some people find their psoriasis* improves after spending time in the sun and many doctors recommend that people expose their skin to the sun. Do this for a short time at first and increase exposure time slowly. Never use sunbeds or tanning lamps, as these can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 59 percent.
Lifestyle changes
Identifying and avoiding psoriasis* triggers can prevent the immune system from overreacting and causing a psoriasis* flare-up. When psoriasis* appears, minimizing exposure to triggers can stop it from spreading.
Complementary and alternative remedies
Some people use complementary and alternative remedies, such as acupuncture, to prevent psoriasis* from spreading. Other strategies, such as meditation and therapy, may help some people cope with the emotional effects and social stigma of having psoriasis.
Can you prevent psoriasis?
Avoiding potential triggers, and following a treatment plan, may help to prevent psoriasis from flaring up or spreading.
Although there is some evidence that specific environmental factors might trigger psoriasis*, those factors vary from between patients. This makes it almost impossible to prevent psoriasis developing for the first time. However, it might be possible to prevent subsequent flare-ups by keeping track of triggers.
A person with psoriasis* might find that their psoriasis gets worse with stress, after sunburn, or when they eat certain foods. Avoiding these triggers can lengthen the time between flare-ups, and may prevent an early flare-up from spreading.
There is no cure for psoriasis*. Most people can control their symptoms with medication and lifestyle changes, though psoriasis* flare-ups may continue. Following the treatment plan recommended by a doctor can increase the time between flare-ups and prevent the disease from spreading.
Research increasingly links psoriasis* to other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, liver disease, cancer, and depression. People with psoriasis must take good care of their health and work closely with a doctor to reduce risk factors for other diseases.
Takeaway
Some people with psoriasis may feel stigmatized and embarrassed, particularly when people they know mistakenly believe that psoriasis* is contagious. Psoriasis* will not spread to another person, and touching a psoriasis plaque will not cause it to spread elsewhere.
Psoriasis is, however, a disease that tends to spread on a person’s body. People who think they might have psoriasis* should talk to a doctor about controlling symptoms. Keeping a journal of lifestyle factors and triggers may also help since it can make it easier to identify what makes psoriasis* better or worse.