Approximately 2-3% of the world’s population struggles with psoriasis , an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of thick, red, and flaky skin.

That might sound like a small number, especially when you’re dealing with a condition that’s so uncomfortable, isolating, and even stigmatized. You might feel like the only person on the planet who’s left to wear long sleeves in 80-degree heat or who always wears a hat.

But get this: That seemingly small percentage of people who have psoriasis translates to about 125 million people around the globe who are dealing with this exact problem (and are strategically choosing clothing to cover their flare-ups).

Let’s break down what exactly psoriasis is, how you can recognize it, and most importantly, how you can deal with it effectively.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts a person’s skin. It’s the general term for this skin disease which can show up anywhere on the body—from your scalp (fittingly known as scalp psoriasis) to your feet. However, as the National Psoriasis Foundation explains, there are five different types of psoriasis.

1. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Causes redness and the skin to shed in large sheets.
2. Guttate Psoriasis: Causes small, round, red spots.
3. Inverse Psoriasis: Causes inflammation and redness in places where your skin folds (like the armpits, groin, and below the breasts) that is smooth rather than scaly.
4. Plaque Psoriasis: Causes raised patches of inflamed and itchy skin.
5. Pustular Psoriasis: Causes white, pus-filled bumps that are often surrounded by red skin.

Without a doubt, plaque psoriasis is the most common type and affects nearly 80% of all people with psoriasis.

What is the cause of psoriasis?

While any type of skin condition might make you think that there’s something environmental (like fabrics or chemical irritants) causing that flare-up, it’s not usually the case with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which means the cause comes back to a person’s immune system becoming overactive and attacking normal tissues.

In the case of psoriasis, that immune system dysfunction causes skin cells to grow at an increased rate. Those cells don’t shed normally and instead pile up on the surface of the skin, which is what causes red, rough, or raised patches (called “plaques”) or other skin problems.

With that said, there are certain triggers that could potentially alter your immune system and kick-start the onset of psoriasis symptoms. The National Psoriasis Foundation says these triggering events differ from person to person but could include:

• Cold and dry weather
• Injury to the skin
• Illness
• Stress

What are psoriasis symptoms?

The symptoms of psoriasis will vary, especially depending on what specific type of psoriasis you’re dealing with. However, the Mayo Clinic shares a few common symptoms to look out for:

• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning, or soreness
• Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
• Small scaling spots
• Swollen and stiff joints
• Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails

Here’s the thing: These types of symptoms aren’t just unsightly—they can be pretty painful too. Skin pain is also very common with psoriasis, especially for people who end up having open sores.

Is psoriasis contagious?

The short answer: No. So you can let out a sigh of relief.

Having any type of skin issue is enough to make you feel insecure and embarrassed enough to pack all of your t-shirts and shorts away. Plus, you aren’t just dealing with your own worries. Because it’s such a visible condition, you also can’t help but to notice the side-eyed glances and grimaces from the people around you. In fact, research shows that people with psoriasis can also struggle with body image and self-esteem.

It’s a challenge—we won’t even try to tell you otherwise. But, if you’re concerned about potentially passing psoriasis to other people, that’s at least one thing you can cross off your list of worries.

While the root cause of psoriasis is still somewhat unknown, experts and health professionals all agree on this fact: Psoriasis is not contagious.

What treatment is best for psoriasis?

Even if psoriasis can’t be passed from person to person, most people understandably still want to find effective ways to manage the uncomfortable and potentially even humiliating symptoms. Take note that there isn’t a single “best” treatment for psoriasis—it’s all about finding what works best for you.

With that said, there are a number of options for treating psoriasis. The most common treatments fall into two categories: topical solutions and oral or injected medications.

Topical solutions

Topical corticosteroids are the most commonly-prescribed treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis. These include ointments, creams, lotions, and solutions that are applied directly to the affected area of the skin.

But, that’s only one option. The Mayo Clinic shares that there are plenty of other topical treatments for psoriasis, including:

• Calcipotriene (a Vitamin D derivative)
• Anthralin
• Calcineurin inhibitors
• Retinoids such as tretinoin

Oral or injected medications

Topical solutions are a popular choice for psoriasis treatment, as they deliver the medication directly to the problem area.

However, for people who struggle with moderate or even severe psoriasis, a doctor might take things a step further and prescribe an oral or injected medication to better control symptoms. Again, there are a number of different options here, including:

• Apremilast (Otezla) (oral)
• Biologics (injection)
• Cyclosporine (oral)
• Methotrexate (oral)
• Retinoids (oral)
• Steroids (injection)

In addition to medications or topical solutions, sometimes light therapy—which involves exposing the skin to a controlled amount of light—is used for moderate to severe cases of psoriasis.

Can you skip these types of treatments and heal psoriasis naturally? While some people swear by certain home remedies ranging from apple cider vinegar or aloe vera to tea tree oil or even acupuncture, The National Psoriasis Foundation says that these types of natural options are most effective when used together with more traditional medications and treatments.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to finding the right treatments, there are changes you can make to your daily routine that may help:

• Limit your showers to 5 minutes and baths to 15 minutes or less. Spending too much time in water can dry your skin, which can worsen the itch.
• Skip hot baths and showers since high heat can also worsen the itch.
• Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment after you wash your hands and shower to seal in moisture. This will help relieve your ongoing symptoms and, over time, contribute to healing your skin,
• Gently apply moisturizer to itchy skin when you have the urge to scratch (and resist that urge as best you can!).
• Apply a cool compress when you’re feeling itchy. The nerves that send itch signals to the brain don’t work as well when they are cold.

What happens if psoriasis is left untreated?

Here’s the truth: You probably aren’t even going to be tempted to ignore your psoriasis and leave it entirely untreated. It’s uncomfortable and painful, which means you’ll likely be eager to find treatment options that help you get some relief.

But for the sake of clarity, is leaving psoriasis untreated actually dangerous?

Well, it depends. As the American Academy of Dermatology Association states, the best-case scenario is that you stop treatment and experience no more psoriasis symptoms (known as remission). The not-so-good news? Your psoriasis could come back in full force—and potentially even worse than it was before (known as a rebound).

Because psoriasis is a chronic and lifelong condition, you might reach a point where things are controlled and you’re interested in stopping your treatment. If that’s the case, connect with a dermatologist or healthcare professional to find the best way to end your treatment or switch to a new one.

Take control of your psoriasis (rather than letting it control you)

Psoriasis can not only be painful, but also embarrassing. Despite the fact that it’s an autoimmune disease and not at all a representation of your hygiene or self-care (seriously, we mean it), having large patches of rough or red skin can be enough to make you want to cover up or even stay home altogether.

While there’s no known cure for psoriasis, there are numerous different options for managing your symptoms and flare-ups—and that all starts with finding the right treatment plan for you.