Diagnosed with psoriasis? The National Institutes of Health estimate that 7.5 millionAmericans are affected by psoriasis.Psoriasis is a noncontagious lifelong skin disease,characterized mostly by red patches or lesions on the skin (plaque) covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells (scale). What causes psoriasis? The severity and type of psoriasis varies from person to person.While it is not contagious,doctors do believe it has a genetic component,meaning it can run in families.Psoriasis is much more than just a skin ailment; it is actually an autoimmune disorder. There is no single known cause for psoriasis.Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered,which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells.A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body's surface in 28 to 30 days.But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form the lesions. Types of psoriasis Psoriasis can occur just about anywhere on the body,although nearly 50 percent of those affected have it on their scalp.Here are the most common forms of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis:This is the most prevalent form of the disease.About 80 percent of all those who have psoriasis have this form,according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Its scientific name is psoriasis vulgaris (vulgaris means common). It is typically found on the elbows,knees, scalp and lower back. Scalp psoriasis:This form of psoriasis can be very mild with slight scaling or severe- thickly encrusted with plaques. The more plaques on the scalp the higher the risk for hair loss.Scalp psoriasis can also spread,with plaque showing up on other areas of the body, including around the ears and on the back of the neck. Inverse: Inverse psoriasis is found in the skin folds of the body,and also on the groin,under the armpits and on the genitals. It first appears as lesions that are very red, smooth and shiny. It usually lacks the scale associated with plaque psoriasis. Erythrodermic:This form of psoriasis is very inflammatory and can cover large areas of the body. It is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin.The erythema (reddening) and exfoliation (shedding) of the skin are often accompanied by severe itching and pain. Pustular:Pustular psoriasis is characterized by white pus-filled blisters on the body.The blisters are noncontagious and actually contain an overabundance of white blood cells,not an infection. Risks associated with psoriasis Psoriasis,as explained, is not a contagious disease.While lesions on the skin may look off-putting, they are not dangerous and will not contaminate others. Because psoriasis can target large areas of the skin, there is some risk for it to affect body temperature control, fluid loss and protection against skin-introduced infections. In roughly 10 to 30 percent of cases, those with psoriasis may also suffer from psoriatic arthritis. This is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but milder. Psoriasis treatment Psoriasis treatment needs to be tailored according to the region of the body where it is occurring and the type. Some forms of treatment, such as topical steroids, can alleviate symptoms of one form of psoriasis, but aggravate another form. Over the counter: Items such as moisturizer, salicyclic acid, tar products, and hydrocortisone can improve mild cases of psoriasis.Bathing with epsom salt or Deep Sea Salt may also provide improvement. Phototherapy and diet: Exposure to controlled ultraviolet light is shown to improve psoriasis.There are some who also have found that a managed diet can be a help. Prescriptions:Topical steroids are widely prescribed for treating psoriasis and work quickly.There are other topicals derived from vitamin D, like Dovonex or vitamin A (retinoids), like Tazorac, that slow down the rate of skin renewal and flatten psoriasis legions. Emotional well-being: Stress is a trigger for psoriasis,which can lead to bigger flareups and depression.Managing emotions and reducing stress can help alleviate symptoms. Talk to a doctor if you want to learn more about living with psoriasis.Together you can determine a regimen that works.