What is Pso?

Psoriasis [pronounced sorr-eye-iss-iss], also called Pso, is a chronic, or ongoing, disease that can appear anywhere on the body.^[1]2 Psoriasis most commonly affects the skin, but can also affect the nails.² If you also have swollen, stiff or painful joints, you may have a form of inflammatory arthritis called psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sorr-eye-att-ick arth-rye-tiss] that can affect people with psoriasis.³⁴

In Pso, the body’s immune system gets ‘confused’ and attacks itself, making new skin cells grow and build up above and just below the surface of the skin.²⁶⁷ This creates thick red or swollen patches of skin covered in silvery scales called ‘plaques’ that you may recognise.⁷⁸ These inflamed patches can become itchy and bleed,⁷⁹ affecting either small or large areas of skin,⁸ but it’s important to remember that Pso isn’t contagious.⁵

How psoriasis works⁵¹⁰

Moderate to severe Pso increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.^[1] Psoriasis is also associated with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and there is a small increased risk of skin cancer.¹¹