It's a change in the immunologic control of the cells in the skin. These cells are turning over faster, and because they are dividing faster, they don't have time to form the normal outer layer of the skin. Normally the skin cells will divide and move up in the skin, and as they move up in the skin it takes it about 28 days to eventually form the outer layer of the skin, which has a protein in it called keratin. That is the smooth outer layer of our skin that you can see. If that outer layer of the skin becomes abnormal then we see it as dry scaling. In psoriasis the cells actually move up to the surface in about four days, which is seven times faster than normal. They don't have time to form the normal keratin, so we see an abnormal keratin, and it shows up as a scaly surface. The treatment is designed at altering the signals that are going to the cells that make them turn over faster. That's an immunologic control of the maturation of the skin cell.
What is psoriasis?
Explanation of the psoriasis skin condition, including causes, symptoms and treatment.
Sponsored Links
Psoriasis is a condition that is actually present in about 3% of the population. It appears as red scaly plaques on the skin, and the basic change is that the skin cells are turning over very rapidly. So they don't have time to form the normal keratin layer, which is the outer layer of the skin. The cells are turning over so rapidly that they form an abnormal outer layer, and that's what you see as the red scaly area. We now know that this is due to an immunologic change in the skin. We are getting newer treatments available for this now that are aimed at altering that immunologic change in the skin.
It's a change in the immunologic control of the cells in the skin. These cells are turning over faster, and because they are dividing faster, they don't have time to form the normal outer layer of the skin. Normally the skin cells will divide and move up in the skin, and as they move up in the skin it takes it about 28 days to eventually form the outer layer of the skin, which has a protein in it called keratin. That is the smooth outer layer of our skin that you can see. If that outer layer of the skin becomes abnormal then we see it as dry scaling. In psoriasis the cells actually move up to the surface in about four days, which is seven times faster than normal. They don't have time to form the normal keratin, so we see an abnormal keratin, and it shows up as a scaly surface. The treatment is designed at altering the signals that are going to the cells that make them turn over faster. That's an immunologic control of the maturation of the skin cell.
It's a change in the immunologic control of the cells in the skin. These cells are turning over faster, and because they are dividing faster, they don't have time to form the normal outer layer of the skin. Normally the skin cells will divide and move up in the skin, and as they move up in the skin it takes it about 28 days to eventually form the outer layer of the skin, which has a protein in it called keratin. That is the smooth outer layer of our skin that you can see. If that outer layer of the skin becomes abnormal then we see it as dry scaling. In psoriasis the cells actually move up to the surface in about four days, which is seven times faster than normal. They don't have time to form the normal keratin, so we see an abnormal keratin, and it shows up as a scaly surface. The treatment is designed at altering the signals that are going to the cells that make them turn over faster. That's an immunologic control of the maturation of the skin cell.
You are here: Essortment Home >>
What is psoriasis?
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ - By printing, downloading, or using you agree to our full terms. Review the full terms at the following URL: http://www.pagewise.com/disclaimer.htm. Below is a summary of some of the terms. If you do not agree to the full terms, do not use the information. We are only publishers of this material, not authors. Information may have errors or be outdated. Some information is from historical sources or represents opinions of the author. It is for research purposes only. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages. We are not liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect, or special damages. You indemnify us for claims caused by you.
FAQs: This site is published by PageWise, Inc. Would you like to link to this page? Reprint this article on your website? Reprint this article on paper? Want to reference this article in a paper, report, or presentation? Is there an error in this page? Do you have a follow-up question about this topic? Want to read our Privacy Policy? Read our legal/medical disclaimer?
