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 is systemic rather than only skin-deep, with associated joint disease and cardiovascular 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 emollients generously alongside active treatment.
- Commonest mistake: Stopping treatment abruptly, particularly oral or potent topical steroids.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Do
- Use emollients generously alongside active treatment
- Report joint pain and stiffness, which may be psoriatic arthritis
- Ask for cardiovascular risk assessment at review
- Address smoking, alcohol and weight, all of which affect severity
Do not
- Stopping treatment abruptly, particularly oral or potent topical steroids
- 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 |
| First-line treatment | topical vitamin D analogues and steroids |
| Annual review | should include cardiovascular risk assessment |
If you change one thing
Use emollients generously alongside active treatment. If you only change one thing, make it that.
Where to go next
- What the Guidance Really Says About Psoriasis
- What Psoriasis Is, and Why It Matters
- Psoriasis — the reference entry
- What the Guidance Really Says About Skin Cancer Signs
- Dry Skin: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to speak to a doctor
Seek urgent medical help for widespread redness covering most of the body with fever or shivering, or for widespread small pustules — erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis are medical emergencies. See a GP for new joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness, which may indicate psoriatic arthritis and needs early treatment.
Where this comes from
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, summarised or generalised 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 a GP, 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 999.
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