A Working Checklist for Psoriasis
Psoriasis: what is worth doing, what is worth avoiding, and when to stop and see a doctor.
An immune-mediated condition causing thickened, scaly plaques of skin. It affects more than the skin, with associated joint disease and heart risk that are frequently overlooked.
Key takeaways
- Associated condition: psoriatic arthritis, in a significant minority
- Also associated with: raised cardiovascular risk
- Most useful single change: Use moisturizers generously alongside active treatment.
- Commonest mistake: Stopping treatment abruptly, particularly steroid tablets or strong steroid creams.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Do
- Use moisturizers generously alongside active treatment
- Report joint pain and stiffness, which may be psoriatic arthritis
- Ask for your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose to be checked
- Address smoking, alcohol and weight, all of which affect severity
Do not
- Stopping treatment abruptly, particularly steroid tablets or strong steroid creams
- Assuming skin-only treatment addresses the whole condition
- Ignoring joint symptoms
The numbers behind the list
Every item above comes from these figures, published in the guidance listed at the foot of the page.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Associated condition | psoriatic arthritis, in a significant minority |
| Also associated with | raised cardiovascular risk |
| Common first treatments | topical steroids and vitamin D analogues |
| Regular checkups | should include checking heart risk factors |
If you change one thing
Use moisturizers generously alongside active treatment. If you only change one thing, make it that.
Related topics
- What the Guidance Really Says About Inflammatory Arthritis (Bone and Joint)
- Ingrown Toenails: What Published Guidance Supports (Foot Health)
- Overactive Thyroid: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Thyroid and Hormones)
- Immunosuppression and Vaccines: What Published Guidance Supports (Vaccinations)
Where to go next
- What the Guidance Really Says About Psoriasis
- What Psoriasis Is, and Why It Matters
- Psoriasis — the reference entry
- Skin Health: The Complete Guide
- What the Guidance Really Says About Skin Cancer Signs
- Dry Skin: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to speak to a doctor
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for widespread redness covering most of the body with fever or chills, or for widespread small pus-filled bumps — erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis are medical emergencies. See your doctor for new joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness, which may indicate psoriatic arthritis and benefits from early treatment.
Where this comes from
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases — Psoriasis
- American Academy of Dermatology — Psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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