Are you one of the 7.5 million Americans who suffers from psoriasis [source: National Psoriasis Foundation]? This chronic, non-contagious disease affects your skin when your body's immune system sends incorrect signals to trigger the growth of skin cells.
Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. But plaque is the most common. Plaque psoriasis causes red bumps or legions covered with a silver-colored collection of dead skill cells, referred to as scales, to appear on the skin. People who have psoriasis also tend to suffer from other health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Researchers are unsure about the causes of psoriasis; however, most agree that both genetics and the immune system may contribute to its development. In general, people who suffer from psoriasis have some of the genes that cause the disease and have experienced stress, suffered from skin injury, or taken a medication that might trigger the disease.
Keep reading for 10 ways to treat psoriasis.