Psoriasis is a chronic, multifactorial, inflammatory skin disease.  It affects about 1.5-3% of the general population and can first occur at any age. Both sexes are equally affected, and the white race more than the others.

In healthy skin, superficial skin cells grow in the lower layers of the skin and slowly rise to the surface. In psoriasis, chronic inflammation causes an increased speed of skin cell replacement, redness, thickening of the skin and formation of psoriatic plaque. The replacement cycle of surface cells lasts for about a month in most people, while in people with psoriasis, only a few days.

In recent years, the systemic nature of the disease is becoming increasingly apparent. Psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity), depression and increased predisposition to cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction etc.) have been directly associated with psoriasis. The importance of early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic approach of patients with psoriasis is therefore understood.

It is important to emphasize that in recent years there have been leaps and bounds in the treatment of psoriasis, always depending on the extent and severity of the disease in each patient. Topical treatment, phototherapy, systemic treatment with ciclosporin / methotrexate / asitretin as well as the newest generation of drugs, biological agents, are the different treatments available to the Attending Physician. Personalized treatment, tailored to the needs of each patient, can offer an excellent long-term result with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the patient at all levels.