psoriasis

pso·ri·a·sis

noun \sə-ˈrī-ə-səs\

Definition of PSORIASIS

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

— pso·ri·at·ic \ˌsȯr-ē-ˈa-tik\ adjective or noun

Origin of PSORIASIS

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

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with PSORIASIS

archdiocese, lithiasis, trichiasis

pso·ri·a·sis

noun \sə-ˈrī-ə-səs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; pso·ri·a·ses \-ˌsēz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of PSORIASIS

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

psoriasis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Chronic, recurrent skin disorder with reddish, slightly elevated patches or bumps covered with silvery-white scales. Spots may coalesce into large patches around a normal area. If the nails are involved, they may become pitted, thick, and separated from the nail bed. Skin injury, infection, stress, and certain drugs may trigger psoriasis. Skin cells move at an accelerated rate from the dermis into the epidermis, where they slough off, causing inflammation. In some cases, patients also have arthritis. Psoriasis often becomes less severe in the summer and during pregnancy. There is no cure, but treatment with drugs and ultraviolet light may help.