National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Psoriasis is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get them on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. A problem with your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in your skin rise to the surface. Normally, this takes a month. In psoriasis, it happens in just days because your cells rise too fast.
Psoriasis can last a long time, even a lifetime. Symptoms come and go. Things that make them worse include
- Infections
- Stress
- Dry skin
- Certain medicines
Psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It sometimes runs in families. Treatments include creams, medications and light therapy.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
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Itchy, Scaly Skin? Living with Psoriasis(National Institutes of Health)
- Overview of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis(National Psoriasis Foundation) - PDF
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Psoriasis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Itchy, Scaly Skin? Living with Psoriasis
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Latest News
- New Research Fuels Greater Understanding of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis in Children and Adolescents(08/16/2012, American Academy of Dermatology)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Psoriasis: Signs and Symptoms(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Psoriatic Arthritis: Signs and Symptoms(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Treatment
- Is Phototherapy Right for Your Psoriasis?(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Phototherapy(Logical Images)
- Psoriasis Treatment: Medicine Applied to the Skin(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Systemic Medications for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Including Biologics(National Psoriasis Foundation) - PDF
- Topical Treatments for Psoriasis, Including Steroids(National Psoriasis Foundation) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
- Treating Psoriatic Arthritis(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Treatment: Scalp Psoriasis(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Prevention/Screening
- 5 Medical Screenings People with Psoriasis Should Have(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Alternative Therapy
- Treating Psoriasis: Complementary Approaches(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Nutrition
- Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help Your Psoriasis?(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Nutrition and Psoriatic Disease(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Psoriasis Diet: Can Changing Your Diet Treat Psoriasis?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Coping
- Psoriasis Action Plan: Dealing with Depression(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Psychological Aspects of Psoriasis(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Disease Management
- Are Lifestyle Choices Affecting Your Psoriasis?(American Academy of Dermatology)
- How to Make Psoriasis Control More Effective This Summer(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Living a Healthy Lifestyle with Psoriatic Arthritis(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Living with Psoriasis: Minimizing Flare-Ups(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Psoriasis Triggers(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Specific Conditions
- Psoriasis on Specific Skin Sites(National Psoriasis Foundation) - PDF
- Psoriatic Arthritis(Arthritis Foundation)
- Psoriatic Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Psoriatic Nails(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Scalp Psoriasis(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Types of Psoriasis(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
- Frequently Asked Questions about Psoriasis(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Psoriasis Increases Risk for Some Medical Conditions(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Should I Get a Flu Shot if I Have Psoriasis?(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Psoriasis(Logical Images)
- What Psoriasis Looks Like(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Tutorials
- Psoriasis(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Videos
- If I Had - A Child Who Developed Red, Scaly Patches(Insidermedicine)
- If I Had - Scaly Plaques on Elbows and Knees(Insidermedicine)
- Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis(Organization of Teratology Information Specialists)
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Anatomy/Physiology
- Immune System Involvement(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Psoriasis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Psoriasis
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Genetics
- Genes and Psoriasis: Unraveling the Mystery(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Genetics Home Reference: Psoriatic arthritis(National Library of Medicine)
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Research
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Dlx3 Protein Linked to Skin Inflammation(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Psoriasis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Dlx3 Protein Linked to Skin Inflammation
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Glossary(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Directories
- Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Health Care Provider Directory(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Organizations
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Statistics
- About Psoriasis: Statistics(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Children
- About Psoriasis in Children(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Psoriasis(Nemours Foundation)
- Psoriasis Information for Parents(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- What Is Psoriasis?(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Teenagers
- For Teens: Living with Psoriasis(National Psoriasis Foundation)
- Handbook for Teens with Psoriasis(National Psoriasis Foundation) - PDF
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Women
- Psoriasis during Conception, Pregnancy and Nursing(National Psoriasis Foundation)
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Patient Handouts
- Psoriasis
- Also available in Spanish
- Psoriasis - guttate
- Also available in Spanish
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Also available in Spanish
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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA