None is known. Minimize flare-ups by avoiding aggravating factors. The diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. A skin biopsy or scraping and culture of skin patches may be needed to rule out other disorders. A blood test for HLA antigens may be positive.
Treatment is focused on control of the symptoms and prevention of secondary infections .
It varies with the extent and severity of the disorder. Severe or resistant cases, or cases involving large areas of the body, may require intensive treatment. Psoriasis lesions that cover all or most of the body are an emergency symptom that require hospitalization. The disorder may be acutely painful. The body loses vast quantities of fluid and is susceptible to severe secondary infections that can become systemic , involving internal organs, and can progress to septic shock and death.