Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by red, itchy and scaly patches. The spelling of the word "psoriasis" can be tricky due to the silent letter "p" at the beginning. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /səˈraɪ.əsɪs/. The "p" is not pronounced, and the stress is on the second syllable. The root of the word is "soriasis," which comes from the Greek word "psōra," meaning "itch." Despite its tricky spelling, "psoriasis" is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease characterized by the rapid growth of skin cells. It typically presents as raised, red patches covered with white scales or plaques that can be itchy, painful, and sometimes bleed. This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies normal skin cells as a threat and triggers an accelerated cell turnover process, leading to the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious condition that can affect any part of the body, but most commonly appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. It can vary in severity, ranging from small, localized patches to extensive coverage of the skin. Additionally, psoriasis can also affect the nails, causing pitting, ridges, thickening, and crumbling.
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain triggers such as stress, infections, injury to the skin, and certain medications can exacerbate the symptoms.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are several treatment options available to manage the condition and alleviate its symptoms. These may include topical medications, phototherapy, systemic medications, and biologic agents. It is important for individuals with psoriasis to work closely with healthcare professionals to find an appropriate treatment plan tailored to their specific needs, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
A skin disease consisting in an eruption of circumscribed rounded patches of a red color covered with adherent white scales, occurring chiefly on the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees, the scalp, and the back.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A skin disease characterised by a rough scaly cuticle, generally accompanied by chaps and fissures.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "psoriasis" originates from the Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "psōriásis" (ψωρίασις), which in turn is derived from the word "psōra" (ψωρα) meaning "itch" or "itching". The term was first used in ancient Greek medical texts to describe a skin condition characterized by itching.