psoriasis

[suh-rahy-uh-sis]

noun

Pathology.

1. a common chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by scaly patches.

psoriasis

/ ˌsɔːrɪˈætɪk, səˈraɪəsɪs /

noun

1. a skin disease characterized by the formation of reddish spots and patches covered with silvery scales: tends to run in families

psoriasis

1. A chronic, inflammatory skin disease in which recurring reddish patches, often covered with silvery scales, appear especially on the knees, elbow, scalp and trunk. Psoriasis is noncontagious and is inheritable.

Other Word Forms

• psoriatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psoriasis¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from New Latin, from Greek psōríāsis, from psōriā- (variant stem of psōriân “to have the itch,” derivative of psṓra “itch”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of psoriasis¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: itching disease, from psōra itch

Example Sentences

Throughout Updike’s life he had a panoply of discouraging but not-terribly-threatening illnesses: asthma, dental failures and, above all, psoriasis.

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J&J is already working with Protagonist to develop an oral treatment for immune diseases including plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis and has the exclusive rights to commercialize the product.

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A special home phototherapy device to treat psoriasis is as effective as going to a doctor’s office for the therapy, according to research funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

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Three of the most common inflammatory skin diseases are eczema, psoriasis and acne, which can cause permanent scarring.

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LED technology has been used to address a number of skin issues, such as eczema, mild to moderate acne, psoriasis and sun damage in a medical setting.

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