"WE'VE REALLY CHANGED OUR WHOLE IDEA OF WHAT PSORIASIS IS, IN THAT IT'S REALLY THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT'S DRIVING THIS DISORDER."
Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology
UCLA School of Medicine
An Immune Disorder
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It is understood that the immune system and family history can play roles in its development. The immune system is somehow triggered, which causes a series of events, including inflammation and acceleration of skin cell growth. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriatic plaques.
Psoriasis often appears in adolescence or young adulthood, but can occur at any age. Depending on how much skin is involved, cases can vary from mild to severe. People with psoriasis typically experience patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales called plaques.
While there is no known cure for psoriasis, many advancements in research and treatment have been made in the area of psoriatic disease. The evolving understanding of psoriasis as a disease of the immune system has expanded significantly the variety of available treatments, including biologic therapies such as STELARA.™
To read more about psoriasis, go to the National Psoriasis Foundation website at www.psoriasis.org or the Psoriasis Cure Now website at www.psoriasis-cure-now.org
