A chronic skin disorder that tends to remain throughout life and is characterised by active and quiescent periods. It appears on the skin as red, roughened patches covered by silvery, shiny scales. These usually appear first on the elbows and knees but may affect other areas of the trunk, arms, legs, scalp and back. Stress or anxiety seems to increase psoriasis and brings on an aggravation of the symptoms in some people. Treatment with ointments is usually effective in controlling the symptoms but acupuncture aims to cure the disease.

Causes are not very clear and normally, it affects people who have a family history of psoriasis.