The lesions heal without scarring, and will usually not affect the re-growth of hair. They become thickened, pitted and stippled. They can become discolored, and separate from the nail bed. Psoriasis affects approximately 9 million people in the United States and one million in Canada, and many millions throughout the world. It affects women slightly more than men.
Blacks are less affected than whites.
Average age of onset is 28, but can affect the newborn, and as late as age 90. The degrees or seriousness of psoriasis can be rated as mild, moderate, or severe. This form of arthritis closely resembles rheumatoid arthritis and can be equally as crippling. The blood serum does not show the rheumatoid factor that is found in rheumatoid arthritis. There are other forms of psoriasis.