Skin Health · Psoriasis Explained
What You Should Know About Psoriasis: Causes, Types, Triggers and UK Treatment Options
Medically authored & reviewed by
Dr Abdishakur M Ali
General Practitioner · Telehealth Expert · Clinical Director
Last reviewed: March 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Psoriasis treatment must be assessed and managed by a qualified healthcare professional. Our prescribers are GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition affecting approximately 1 in 50 people in the UK — around 1.8 million people. While it is not curable, it is highly manageable, and a wide range of effective treatments exist across the spectrum from mild topical creams to advanced biologic therapies. Understanding your condition is the first step towards finding the treatment approach that works best for you.
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View Treatments →What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system misfires, causing T cells (white blood cells) to attack healthy skin cells in error. This triggers an accelerated production of new skin cells — a process that normally takes around 3–4 weeks but in psoriasis occurs in 3–7 days. The result is a rapid build-up of cells on the skin surface forming the characteristic thick, scaly plaques.
Psoriasis affects approximately 1.5% of the UK population (JAMA Dermatology) and is associated with several related conditions. People with psoriasis have an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and inflammatory bowel disease — underscoring the importance of comprehensive management.
Key fact: Psoriasis is not caused by poor hygiene or an infectious agent. It cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis
The most common form — affects around 80–90% of people with psoriasis. Causes raised, inflamed red patches covered with silvery-white scales (plaques). Typically develops on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back, but can appear anywhere.
Guttate Psoriasis
Causes small, drop-shaped, pinkish-red spots. Often triggered by a streptococcal throat infection. More common in children and young adults. Frequently resolves spontaneously but can develop into plaque psoriasis.
Pustular Psoriasis
Characterised by white, pus-filled blisters surrounded by inflamed skin. Can be localised (hands and feet) or generalised. Generalised pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch) is rare but serious and requires urgent medical attention.
Inverse Psoriasis
Affects skin folds — armpits, groin, under the breasts, around the genitals. Smooth, shiny red patches without the typical scaling. Can be worsened by friction and sweating.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
A rare, severe form affecting most of the body surface. Skin appears sunburned and sheets of scale can shed simultaneously. Can cause severe illness including fever. This is a medical emergency — seek immediate care.
Common Psoriasis Triggers
While psoriasis has a genetic basis, flares are typically precipitated by environmental triggers. Common triggers include:
- Stress — psychological stress is one of the most consistent psoriasis triggers; stress management can meaningfully reduce flare frequency
- Skin injury — the Köbner phenomenon: new plaques develop at sites of skin trauma including cuts, insect bites, sunburn, or vaccination injection sites
- Infections — streptococcal throat infection frequently triggers guttate psoriasis; any systemic infection can worsen existing psoriasis
- Medications — lithium, antimalarials (chloroquine), beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors can precipitate or worsen psoriasis
- Alcohol — excessive alcohol consumption is associated with more severe psoriasis and may reduce treatment effectiveness
- Smoking — a significant risk factor for more severe disease and poor treatment response
UK Treatment Options for Psoriasis
NICE guidelines (NG96) recommend a stepwise approach to psoriasis treatment based on severity:
| Severity | First-Line Options | Second-Line Options |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Topical corticosteroids (Betacap, Betnovate); vitamin D analogues; emollients | Coal tar (Cocois); topical retinoids; combination therapy |
| Moderate | Combination ICS + vitamin D analogue (Dovobet); potent/very potent topical steroids; phototherapy | Systemic: methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin |
| Severe / resistant | Systemic therapy; biologic agents (TNF-alpha inhibitors, IL-17/23 inhibitors) | Specialist dermatology referral required |
Seek urgent care if your psoriasis becomes suddenly widespread, you develop large areas of skin redness or peeling (erythrodermic psoriasis), or you experience joint pain, fever, or systemic symptoms alongside a skin flare.
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View Psoriasis Treatments →Frequently Asked Questions
What causes psoriasis?
Psoriasis is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and an overactive immune system. T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells, triggering accelerated skin cell production. Environmental triggers — including stress, certain medications, skin injury, and infections — can initiate or worsen flares.
Is psoriasis contagious?
No. Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person. It is an autoimmune condition with a strong genetic component.
What are the different types of psoriasis?
The main types are plaque psoriasis (most common — raised red patches with silvery scales), guttate psoriasis (small pink spots, often triggered by streptococcal infection), pustular psoriasis (pus-filled blisters), inverse psoriasis (smooth red patches in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (rare, severe, widespread).
Can psoriasis be cured?
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but it can be effectively managed. Many people achieve long periods of remission with appropriate treatment. Research into new biologic therapies continues to improve outcomes significantly.
When should I see a doctor about psoriasis?
See a doctor if you have new widespread skin changes, joint pain alongside skin symptoms, psoriasis affecting the face or genitals, or if current treatments are not controlling your symptoms. Erythrodermic psoriasis is a medical emergency — seek immediate care if most of your skin becomes red and inflamed.
References
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (NG96). Updated 2022. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng96
- Gelfand JM et al. Prevalence and treatment of psoriasis in the UK. Arch Dermatol. 2005;141(12):1537–41. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NHS. Psoriasis. nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis
- British Skin Foundation. Psoriasis statistics. britishskinfoundation.org.uk
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