It shows up most often in people between 10 and 30 years old. Skin injury and infection are among the suspected causes of psoriasis. Another possibility is that stress causes the condition, though some experts caution against blaming psoriasis on stress. More often, the condition itself brings on feelings of low self-esteem and depression. Dealing with those emotions is an important part of the overall therapy.
Some people keep psoriasis in check by using moisturizers.
Other people, especially those who have it on their hands and feet, or on more than 30 percent of their body, may need to use stronger measures. There is no cure for psoriasis, but most cases can be helped with a mixture of medical treatment and home care. Some commonly used medical treatments include steroid creams, ultraviolet light treatments and oral medications, including the anticancer drug, methotrexate. Soak the patches in warm, not hot, water. When the scales are plumped up with water, gently remove whatever will come away easily using a loofah sponge or pumice stone.