Approximately 10 percent of people who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is generally mild in nature and generally affects the hands and feet, but other parts of the body can be affected as well. In some cases, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling. For the most part people with psoriasis can function normally. Sometimes people experience low self-esteem because psoriasis is unsightly.
Psoriasis is often misunderstood by the public, which can make social interactions awkward.
This may lead to emotional problems such as anxiety, anger, embarrassment, and depression. Psoriasis can affect the type of work people do if it is visible. The cost of medications and visits to the doctor are ongoing because psoriasis is chronic. Severe cases may require periods of hospitalization. It is estimated that 56 million hours of work are lost each year by people who suffer from psoriasis and over one billion dollars are spent annually on treatments.