Psoriasis - Basics to Mastery

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition-not contagious-that waxes and wanes. Grounded in current dermatology and rheumatology practice, this handbook demystifies types (plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, erythrodermic), explains why genes, immune signaling, and barrier dysfunction matter, and maps real-world triggers such as infections, skin injury (Koebner phenomenon), stress, smoking, alcohol, cold weather, and certain medicines.
You'll learn how clinicians assess severity and comorbidities (psoriatic arthritis, cardiometabolic risk, mood disorders), what to expect from therapies-topicals (corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, calcineurin inhibitors), phototherapy (narrowband UVB, PUVA), systemic agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, apremilast), and biologics (TNF-, IL-17-, IL-23-, and IL-12/23-targeted)-and how to partner with your care team safely.
Through a practical scenario-Maya, a busy teacher who keeps a two-week trigger diary-you'll build routines for flares, itch, scalp and nail care, and day-to-day confidence, with clear checklists and decision pathways you can discuss with your clinician.?? Plain-English overviews of all psoriasis types with severity tools (PASI, BSA, IGA).?? Stepwise treatment maps: from emollients and topicals to phototherapy, orals, and biologics.?? Safety essentials: monitoring, infection risk, vaccines, pregnancy and liver/renal cautions.?? Psoriatic arthritis checkpoints to catch early joint symptoms and prompt timely referrals.?? Daily living playbook: scalp/nail routines, itch control, sleep, stress skills, work/travel tips.?? Data-driven lifestyle levers: moisturizers, gentle bathing, smoking/alcohol reduction, weight care.