Main symptoms
- •Thick red plaques with silvery scales
- •Sites: elbows, knees, scalp, lower back
- •Moderate to severe itching
- •Nails: pitting, separation, thickening
- •Auspitz sign (bleeding on scale removal)
- •Psoriatic arthritis (30%)
- •Flare-up evolution
Risk factors
- ⚠️ Family history (30-40%)
- ⚠️ Psychological stress
- ⚠️ Streptococcal infections
- ⚠️ Medications (beta-blockers, lithium)
- ⚠️ Skin trauma (Koebner phenomenon)
- ⚠️ Tobacco, alcohol
- ⚠️ Obesity, metabolic syndrome
Management and treatments
**Mild**: topical steroids + vitamin D analogues (calcipotriol), keratolytics. **Moderate**: UVB phototherapy (CHU Ibn Rochd, Al Kindy). **Severe**: methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin. **Biologics**: anti-TNF (adalimumab, etanercept), anti-IL-17 (secukinumab), anti-IL-23 — available in Morocco, high cost, partial ALD reimbursement. **ALD 100%**.
Prevention
Gentle hygiene (lipid-rich cleansers), daily emollients, moderate sun, stress management, stop tobacco/alcohol, healthy weight, avoid scratching, treat streptococcal infections quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is psoriasis contagious?+
NO, never — non-transmissible autoimmune disease.
Is there a permanent cure?+
No permanent cure, but long remissions are possible with modern biologics. 60-80% achieve clear skin with anti-IL-17.
Is sunlight helpful?+
Yes in 80% of cases. Avoid sunburn (Koebner = worsening).
Linked arthritis?+
30% develop psoriatic arthritis. Persistent joint pain → rheumatologist.