Psoriasis is a NON-CONTAGIOUS skin disorder. It is generally believed to be caused by a "malfunction" of the immune system resulting in excessive reproduction of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures in 28 - 30 days and is shed off unnoticed but psoriatic skin cell matures in just a matter of 3 - 4 days. This causes the dead skin cells to pile up and form the characteristic red patches of scales,plaque and lesion. Inflammation is caused by activation of T-cells which trigger the release of cytokines. In truth, psoriasis is a disorder stemming from a physical defect just as in arthritis,asthma,diabetes and myopia. Heredity plays a role but some people with no family history of psoriasis are also affected. Educating the public with the facts of psoriasis will hopefully eradicate the myths and misconceptions about the disorder.

There are many types of psoriasis. The most common form is Plaque psoriasis (vulgaris) - affecting more than 80% of sufferers.It appears as raised areas of inflamed,silvery white scaly skin known as plaques.
* Flexural psoriasis (inverse) - smooth inflamed patches, aggravated by friction (eg. skin against clothing) and sweat and is also prone to fungal infection. Usually occurring in skin folds like genital area,armpits,under a bulging stomach and under the inflammatory fold of the breasts.
* Guttate psoriasis - numerous small round spots appear over large area of the body,limbs and scalp.It is associated with streptococcal throat infection.
* Pustular psoriasis - appears as pus-filled bumps with the surrounding area red and tender. usually occurring on the hands and feet.
* Nail psoriasis - characterize with discoloring, lines across the nail plate,thickening of skin under nail and the loosening and crumbling of the nail.
* Psoriatic arthritis - cause 'sausage-like' swelling on the fingers and toes. It involves joint and connective tissue inflammation and also affects the hips, knees and spine.
* Erythrodermic psoriasis - having widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin accompanied by severe itching,swelling and pain. It can be fatal in extreme cases where disruption to the body's ability to regulate temperature and barrier functions are impaired.

The effectiveness of specific treatment varies with different individuals as such, the trial and error approach is employed to find the most suitable treatment for a patient. Initial treatment for mild to moderate cases consist of topical prescription drugs like Anthralin - no long-term side effects but can stain skin and clothing, Dovonex (Dalvonex) - best used for flattening lesions and removing scales, Tar medications - treats scaling,inflammation and itching, Tarzorac - slows down rapid growth of skin and cortisone-type drugs - slows growth of skin cells and decrease inflammation of lesions.

For moderate to severe cases, phototherapy,systemic treatments and biologics treatments are available.Some of the drugs used are not widely accepted mainly because of safety reasons.Phototherapy uses different kinds of ultraviolet lights and often combines with topical treatments. For best results, frequent treatments of up to 3 times a week is needed. UVB phototherapy (ultraviolrt light B) - safe and effective, often combines with other forms of treatments for faster results. PUVA (Psoralen plus Ultraviolet light A) - combines light-sensitising medication with UVA, it is very effective but may increase risk of skin cancer. Laser treatment - specific ultraviolet beam targets small area of skin lesion.

Systemic treatments are prescription drugs administered in pill form or by injection.Patients undergoing treatment of this kind (for severe psoriasis) are required to undergo frequent blood and liver function tests due to the toxicity of the medication. The 3 main treatments are methotrexate,cyclosporine and retinoids.
* Methotrexate - side effects may include nausea, anemia, tiredness and insomnia
* Cyclosporine - short-term side effects may include decreased kidney function, headache, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and flu-like symptoms
* Retinoids - oral retinoids may cause birth defects
Retinoids are the least toxic and therefore the more preferred choice of treatment.On the other hand, alternative treatments are just as popular with some former patients claiming success where regular treatments failed.Natural treatments includes ichthyotherapy (a kind of doctor fish used to consume psoriatic cells),bath solutions ( apple cider vinegar,Dead sea salt,Epson salts are added to bath), Salicylic Acid ( loosen scales for other topical medication to penetrate skin), moisturizers ( provides relief for itchy skin) and natural sunlight (non burning light). See here for a treatment recipe