Doctors don't completely understand the causes of psoriasis. But they do know that this disease is more common among smokers than nonsmokers.
just the facts
If you smoke, you are at least twice as likely as a nonsmoker -- maybe even three times as likely -- to have psoriasis at some time in your life.
definition
Psoriasis is a skin disease in which patches of the skin become red and scaly. Psoriasis isn't contagious, but it looks bad and it itches. (In fact, the name of the disease comes from the Greek word for itch.) Also, if the rash develops on a joint, such as the elbow or knee, it may make it difficult to move that joint. Psoriasis is what doctors call a chronic disease -- meaning that it lasts a long time. Unfortunately, once people have psoriasis, they may have it for the rest of their lives, with the disease sometimes getting worse and sometimes getting better. Psoriasis is mostly a disease of adults rather than children or teenagers.
explanation
Doctors don't completely understand the causes of psoriasis. But they do know that this disease is more common among smokers than nonsmokers. If you smoke, you are at least twice as likely as a nonsmoker -- maybe even three times as likely -- to have psoriasis at some time in your life. And the longer you smoke, the more likely you are to get this disease.
