psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

: a chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales

psoriatic

ˌsȯr-ē-ˈa-tik 

adjective or noun

Examples of psoriasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although psoriasis initially affects the skin, about 50% of people eventually develop nail psoriasis years after psoriasis symptoms begin. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 21 Oct. 2024

Those drugs include insulin to treat diabetes, blood thinners to prevent clots, as well as a drug to treat leukemia and lymphoma, and treatments for autoimmune arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2024

Dandruff is triggered by an underlying condition, like seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis, and leads to larger white- or yellow-colored skin flakes.10 A dry scalp usually results in slightly smaller white-colored skin flakes. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

These drugs are used to treat plaque psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek psōriasis, from psōrian to have the itch, from psōra itch; akin to Greek psēn to rub

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

: a skin disease characterized by red patches often covered with white scales

Medical Definition

psoriasis

noun

pso·​ri·​a·​sis sə-ˈrī-ə-səs 

plural psoriases -ˌsēz 

: a chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales