Is Psoriasis Contagious Sexually?

Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the scalp, elbows, and knees. Symptoms may worsen (flare) for weeks to months and then subside (go into remission). 

Symptoms of psoriasis may include:

• Patches of skin that are:
  • Thick, dry, and raised (called plaques)
  • Red or dark
  • With silvery-white scales that itch or burn
• Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds
• Rashes on the genitals and in skin folds (armpits, groin, or under the breasts)
• Nail changes 
  • Thickening
  • Pitting
  • Ridges
  • Crumbling
  • Differences in color 
• Psoriatic arthritis
  • Occurs in some patients
  • Stiff, swollen, painful joints

Psoriasis can also cause emotional effects such as embarrassment, depression, and anxiety.

Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system, but the cause of the immune system overactivity is unknown. 

Factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing psoriasis include:

• Family history 
• Certain types of infections, such as strep
• Use of certain medicines, including blood pressure medicines, lithium, and anti-malaria drugs
• Smoking 
• Obesity

Triggers for psoriasis flares include:

• Stress
• Weather, especially cold and dry weather 
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Skin injury, including scratches, scrapes, cuts, bug bites, sunburns, and vaccinations 
• Illness, such as ear infection, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or respiratory infection
• Allergies
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Certain foods
• Environmental factors 

Psoriasis is diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination of the skin, nails, and scalp. 

A small sample of skin may be taken (a biopsy) to help confirm a diagnosis of psoriasis.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Treatments for psoriasis include: 

• Topical treatments, such as creams and ointments
  • Prescription topical treatments
    • Steroids
    • Anthralin
    • Calcipotriene (Dovonex) 
    • Calcipotriene and betamethasone (Taclonex)
    • Tazarotene (Tazorec)
    • Calcitriol (Vectical)
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments
    • Salicylic acid
    • Coal tar
    • Bath solutions such as oil, oatmeal, Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts
    • Fragrance-free moisturizers and soaps
    • Scale lifters (keratolytics) with an active ingredient of salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, or phenol 
    • Anti-itch treatments such as calamine, hydrocortisone, camphor, diphenhydramine hydrochloride (HCl), benzocaine, and menthol (may increase irritation and dryness)
    • Aloe vera, jojoba, zinc pyrithione, and capsaicin may help moisturize, soothe, remove scale, or relieve itching 
    • Castederm may be used for inverse psoriasis to help dry moist plaques in the folds of the body
    • Coverings may be applied over topical treatments such as cellophane, plastic wrap, waterproof dressing, cotton socks, or a nylon suit
• Phototherapy (light therapy)
  • Ultraviolet light B (UVB): broad band and narrow band
  • Psoralen + UVA (PUVA) 
• Systemic treatments
  • Biologics and biosimilars
    • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors 
    • Interleukin 12 and 23 (IL-12, IL-23) inhibitors 
    • Interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors 
    • T-cell inhibitors 
    • Interleukin 23 (IL-23) inhibitors 
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) 
  • Traditional oral systemics
    • Acitretin (Soriatane)
    • Cyclosporine
    • Methotrexate
    • Off-label systemics, including hydroxyurea (Hydrea), isotretinoin, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, and 6-Thioguanine 
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for inflammation