What does psoriasis mean?
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that causes inflamed skin, raised scaly plaques, and sometimes changes in the nails or joints. Its appearance varies with skin tone: plaques may be red or purple and the scale may be silvery, white, or brown, while on darker skin they can look violet, dark brown, or grey. Different forms include plaque, guttate, inverse, and pustular psoriasis. The condition is not contagious, and its severity can range from localized patches to widespread symptoms requiring systemic treatment. Psoriasis may also occur alongside psoriatic arthritis, a related inflammatory condition affecting the joints. Although the word is often used generally for the disease, diagnosis and treatment depend on the particular form and the individual’s symptoms. Its name preserves the condition’s Greek history: the term ultimately comes from a word meaning “itch” or “scab,” although modern psoriasis is understood as a complex inflammatory disorder rather than simply a skin irritation.
nounA chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that causes raised, scaly patches, which may be red, silvery, purple, or brown depending on skin tone. It can also affect the nails and joints and is not contagious.
- A chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by scaly plaques, often accompanied by nail changes, joint inflammation, or psoriatic arthritis.
"Her dermatologist diagnosed plaque psoriasis and prescribed a treatment to reduce the inflammation and scaling."
"The rash was eventually diagnosed as psoriasis."
"People with severe psoriasis may be prescribed systemic medicines to control the disease."
Both forms are used when referring to multiple cases of the disease, although singular and plural agreement varies by medical source.
"Severe psoriases can require treatment that suppresses the underlying inflammation."
Psoriasis takes its name from a Greek word meaning “itch” or “scab,” but the condition is far more than an itchy patch of skin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psoriasis come from?
The English word entered medical use in the 19th century from Greek ψωρίασις (psōriasis), a term derived from ψώρα (psōra), meaning “itch” or “scab.” The Greek formation also helped establish psoriasis as a recognized disease with a name distinct from more general descriptions of itching and scaling.
Related word forms
How psoriasis is actually used
Psoriasis is a medical term and is usually used in clinical or health-related contexts. It is noncontagious, and appearance alone cannot establish a diagnosis because several other skin conditions can resemble it.
Easily confused with psoriasis
Psoriasis is the disease itself, whereas psoriatic is an adjective describing it or a noun for a person who has it.