Not caused by poor hygiene 3. Can run in families 4. Occurs at any age 5. Often triggered by stressful events 6. Despite popular beliefs psoriasis is not contagious, is not caused by poor hygiene, and to end up in hospital like Denis Potter's character is very rare.
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are produced too quickly.
Normally skin cells take about twenty-eight days to replace themselves, in psoriasis they take around four. This causes the characteristic red, flaky, crusty patches that are topped with silvery scales and that are most often found on the knees, elbows, and the scalp. The cause of psoriasis is unknown. It tends to run in families although there is only a one in three chance of this happening, in fact it often skips generations. Although it can occur at any age it is usually in the teenage years when throat infections and the stress of puberty, exams, and relationships trigger the first attack.