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Take the Psoriasis Quiz

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Take the Psoriasis Quiz

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects millions of Americans. It can affect people of any age, but it occurs mostly in young adults. It can also show up in people in their 50s. Find out more about this disease by taking this quiz.

1. What happens to skin cells in a person with psoriasis?

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The normal turnover of skin cells—old cells dying and falling off, new cells rising to the surface—takes about a month. With psoriasis, the process speeds up, occurring in only a few days. This results in patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These patches (plaques) itch or feel sore. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form, but there are 4 other forms. These are:

Guttate psoriasis. This leads to small, dot-like sores (lesions)
Pustular psoriasis. This is marked by small, pus-filled bumps, weeping lesions, and intense scaling
Inverse psoriasis. This causes very red areas in skin folds with little or no plaque
Erythrodermic psoriasis. This is marked by intense shedding and redness.

A. Skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin before they are mature
B. Mature skin cells can't make their way to the surface of the skin
C. Skin cells die before becoming mature
D. B and C

2. Which body parts are often affected by psoriasis?

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Other common areas include other parts of the legs, low back, fingernails, toenails, face, and soles of the feet. Psoriasis also may affect the soft tissues of the genitals and inside the mouth.

A. Elbows
B. Scalp
C. Knees
D. Chest, back, and belly (abdomen)
E. All of the above

3. What is a health problem that also may occur with psoriasis?

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Up to 3 in 10 of people with psoriasis develop inflammation of the joints and symptoms of arthritis. This is called psoriatic arthritis. Having psoriasis puts you at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, Crohn's disease, liver disease, and depression.

A. Hives
B. Gingivitis
C. Conjunctivitis
D. Arthritis

4. Psoriasis falls into which category of disease?

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Psoriasis occurs when white blood cells that normally protect the body against disease are triggered by mistake. These white blood cells, called T cells, cause other immune responses in the body. These include inflammation and faster turnover of skin cells. About one-third of cases of psoriasis are passed down through families. Strep throat can trigger the onset of guttate psoriasis, but psoriasis is not infectious.

A. Infectious disease
B. Genetic disease (passed down through families)
C. Autoimmune disease
D. Neoplasm
E. B and C

5. What can make psoriasis worse?

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Other possible triggers include:

Damage to the skin in the form of scratches, vaccines, and sunburns
Strep infections
Dry weather
Diet
Allergies

Other medicines that may bring on an outbreak of psoriasis include the antidepressant lithium, medicines for malaria, some heart or blood pressure medicines, and some medicines for arthritis.

A. Beta blocker medicines
B. Stress
C. Dry climate
D. All of the above

6. Itching is a common symptom of psoriasis (and other skin disorders). Which of these suggestions can help relieve the itching?

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Exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun makes psoriasis better in many people. But sun exposure should be short so that the skin is not burned. Sunburns can trigger psoriasis. Hot packs don't relieve itching. Heat tends to make the itching worse. Another suggestion to relieve itching: Wear light clothing that won't scratch your skin.

A. Apply hot packs
B. Spend brief periods of time in the sun
C. Use a skin moisturizer
D. B and C

7. Psoriasis can interfere with quality of life. In what way?

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Itching may also interfere with walking or taking care of yourself. The plaques may prevent you from playing sports or caring for family members. Medical care for psoriasis may interfere with work or school. The distress of having psoriasis may lead to depression and social isolation.

A. Itching can interfere with sleep
B. Plaques that appear on the hands can make it hard to work
C. Plaques and itching may make people self-conscious about their appearance
D. All of the above

8. How is psoriasis treated?

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Healthcare providers often use a 1-2-3 approach in treating psoriasis. They start with topical treatment. Then they use light therapy, followed by medicine that treats the entire immune system. Topical treatments include:

Corticosteroids or anthralin to reduce inflammation and turnover of skin cells
Calcipotriene, a synthetic form of vitamin D
Retinoids, a form of vitamin A
Coal tar
Salicylic acid
Clobetasol propionate
Bath oil and moisturizers

Phototherapy, in the form of sunlight or an ultraviolet B light box, causes the activated T cells to die. This eases the inflammation and slows the turnover of skin cells. Light therapy also may include the topical medicine psoralen combined with ultraviolet A rays. This combo is called PUVA. For more severe forms of psoriasis, healthcare providers may prescribe medicines that suppress the immune system. These include methotrexate, retinoids, cyclosporine, 6-thioguanine, hydroxyurea, and biologic response modifiers such as etanercept and adilumimab.

A. Topical medicines
B. Phototherapy
C. Immune system treatment
D. All of the above

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