Psoriasis is a common skin disease. The most common symptoms include red patches of skin covered with silvery scales and dry cracked skin that bleeds easily. Mild cases may be a nuisance, more severe cases can be disfiguring and disabling, especially if joints are involved in arthritis. Psoriasis is a chronic disease, with periods of flare ups and remissions.
Heredity and environment play a role in development of the disease. In Kim's case, her mother has had psoriasis for years. Precise causes are not known. The immune system appears to recognize skin cells as non-self, and attacks them. This leads to excess skin cell growth and further activation of the immune system.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and can include creams that limit inflammation, vitamin D analogues and others. To make skin look and feel better, using mild soap and warm not hot water for soaking, covering affected skin overnight and small amounts of sunlight can help.
CNN Article
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