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

/ sə-rī′ə-sĭs /

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.

Derived Forms

• psoriatic, adjective

Other Words From

• pso·ri·at·ic [sawr-ee-, at, -ik, sohr-], 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

It is prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease.

From Quartz

Psoriasis, which affects 2 to 3 percent of the global population, is an inflammatory skin disease marked by red, scaly patches that itch or burn.

From Science News

This anti-inflammatory medication treats a slew of diseases ranging from psoriasis to arthritis to Crohn’s disease.

From Fortune

Additionally, early clinical trials have indicated that the drug might also help treat psoriasis.

From The Daily Beast

She writes, “the baboon-man is my psoriasis... an illness that sticks to the skin and only wakes up when you no longer expect it.”

From The Daily Beast

At what age does psoriasis usually first make its appearance?

From Project Gutenberg

Are there any constitutional or subjective symptoms in psoriasis?

From Project Gutenberg

How are you to distinguish the papulo-squamous syphiloderm from psoriasis?

From Project Gutenberg

When the patches arrange themselves in an irregular winding or festoon-like manner; as, for instance, in some cases of psoriasis.

From Project Gutenberg

Psoriasis of the scalp rarely exists independently of other patches elsewhere on the general surface.

From Project Gutenberg