Plaque psoriasis is a common if not the most common type of psoriasis. Psoriasis is easy to identify the areas of the body most affected are the elbows and knees, but may be found on any part of the body. Plaque psoriasis, when contracted, shows up as red oval shaped red plaques that may itch and or burn. The skin also turns red with silvery scales and becomes inflamed.
Plaque psoriasis is not contagious but studies show that it is hereditary. Recent research states that the disease results from a disorder in the immune system. The immune system makes the white blood cells that help fight off disease. The T cells (a type of white blood cell) actually sets off inflammation in the skin as well as causing skin cells to grow faster than normal and create patches on the skin.
Diet and lifestyle can have a large affect on plaque psoriasis. Smoking, stress, alcohol, sunlight are all said to be factors that can trigger psoriasis. Though psoriasis has no known cure at the moment there are many treatments that can clear temporarily clear the skin of psoriasis. Most of the treatments involved deal with keeping the skin moisturized and keeping stress to a minimal.