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What is psoriasis? -

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes a rapid buildup of skin cells, which causes scaling.

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Stats -

According to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, almost 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.

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Plaque psoriasis -

The majority (80%) suffer from plaque psoriasis. It causes inflamed red patches covered in whitish silver scales on the elbows, knees, and scalp. 

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Guttate psoriasis -

Children commonly suffer from guttate psoriasis, which appears as pink spots that are rarely thick or raised.

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The immune system -

Other common forms include pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. All are the result of an autoimmune condition. The white blood cells mistakenly attack skin cells, causing the production of skin cells to go into overdrive, resulting in an eventual excess in skin cells.

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Genetics -

If a close family member has the condition, then you're more likely to have the gene that causes it, which means you're more likely to develop it.

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Triggers - stress -

Psoriasis usually flares up when people are subject to certain triggers. These triggers often vary from person to person. Stress is a very common trigger.

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Triggers - alcohol -

There's also a big correlation between drinking alcohol (especially excessively) and psoriasis outbreaks.

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Treatment -

Ointments and cream are usually the answer to psoriasis. Topical corticosteroids, topical retinoids, salicylic acid, and moisturizers are all commonly prescribed.

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Severe psoriasis -

For those who suffer from more extreme symptoms and for whom creams don't work, they may need to use oral or injected medications. These are normally much stronger medicines and produce side effects.

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Helpful weight loss -

Losing weight has been shown to help keep the symptoms of psoriasis in check, even if it just helps the medication to work more efficiently.

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Healthy diet -

Avoiding saturated fats and animal fats from foods like red meat and cheese and instead consuming more omega-3 fats like those found in salmon and walnuts helps, too.

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Vitamins and minerals -

In general, the condition flares up when someone's health is compromised, either mentally or psychically. Therefore, it is even more imperative that people who have it are getting enough vitamins and minerals.

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Kim Kardashian -

Kim K doesn't let the condition knock her confidence, saying, "There's nothing I can do about [my psoriasis], so there's no reason why I should feel uncomfortable."

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Kris Jenner -

Kim Kardashian revealed that she suspects that she inherited the condition from her mother Kris Jenner, who also suffers from the condition.

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Cara Delevingne -

Delevingne experienced extremely painful flare-ups of the condition, saying, "People would put on gloves and not want to touch me because they thought it was, like, leprosy or something."

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Jonathan Van Ness -

The 'Queer Eye' star posted an unretouched photo on Instagram, saying, "Your body is fierce, it's cute, it's fine, and the more people that know about psoriasis, the more you'll stop having to tell cute guys about it when you take your top off."

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Art Garfunkel -

Art Garfunkel revealed in an interview in 1998 that he was disappointed to discover that swimming in the Dead Sea did nothing to soothe his symptoms.

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Phil Mickelson -

The American golfing legend has suffered with the condition, but luckily the treatment was effective and it didn't affect his career.

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Jon Lovitz -

Beloved actor Jon Lovitz suffers from the condition, too. "Why be embarrassed about psoriasis?" he wrote. "Nobody is perfect, right? Trust me, I would know. I make fun of people for a living."

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Liam Gallagher -

The Oasis front man has psoriasis all over his body. Once he met a fan backstage who mistook the white flakey patches for drugs!

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Cyndi Lauper -

The 1980s pop star who brought us 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' has been suffering from psoriasis since 2010, saying she "felt like the Elephant Man" and fell into a depression. She's since been working with the National Psoriasis Foundation and Novartis to raise awareness about the condition.

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La La Anthony -

The author and TV personality, who is also a proud advocate for the National Psoriasis Foundation, said, "You don't have to be ashamed. You can still live life and do amazing things."

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Stacy London -

The 'What Not to Wear' style guru suffered from the condition terribly when she was in sixth grade, saying that she "felt like a monster."

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Eli Roth -

'Inglourious Basterds' (2009) actor Eli Roth had a terrible breakout when he was 22. He couldn't walk because the skin on his legs was cracked and bleeding.

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Dara Torres -

The American former competitive swimmer, who is a 12-time Olympic medalist, opened up about her experience with the condition, saying, "I want people to know that I have dealt with this and have been seen with it, and I'm not afraid to show more of myself."

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CariDee English -

The 2006 winner of 'America's Next Top Model' has been a spokeswoman for the National Psoriasis Foundation.

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Jerry Mathers -

The 'Leave It to Beaver' star has suffered from the condition for decades.

Sources: (Good Housekeeping) (Healthline)

See also: The most common skin conditions, and their cures

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