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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that appears as rough scaly patches on the skin, often covered with a thin scaly-white coating. The two most-common types of psoriasis are plaque (aka plack) psoriasis and guttate psoriasis.

Severity

Psoriasis isn't life threatening, besides a specific case called erythrodermic psoriasis, but can affect the entire body. Specifically, erythrodermic psoriasis can induce shivering and may increase the risk of heart failure and pneumonia. 

Affected Demographic

Psoriasis's appearance rates in different demographics are listed below:

- White: 3.6%

- African American: 1.9%

- Hispanic 1.6%

Treatment

Topical ointments/therapy, light therapy, and oral/injected medications are typical treatments that a dermatologist may prescribe for psoriasis.

Sources

1. “Can Psoriasis Kill You? Long-Term Outlook and More.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-psoriasis-kill-you#:~:text=Psoriasis%20is%20not%20generally%20considered,of%20pneumonia%20and%20heart%20failure. 

2. “Psoriasis and Skin of Color.” The National Psoriasis Foundation: National Psoriasis Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation, www.psoriasis.org/advance/diagnosing-psoriasis-in-skin-of-color/#:~:text=Diagnosing%20Psoriasis%20in%20Skin%20of,Hispanic%20(1.6%20percent)%20populations. 

3. “Psoriasis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 May 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355845. 

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