By the Harley Street Prestige Medical Editorial Team | Medically reviewed by our dermatology team | September 2026

Psoriasis is more than a visible skin condition. Persistent itching, soreness, scaling and recurring flare-ups can affect sleep, comfort, clothing choices, work, relationships, confidence and overall quality of life.

At Harley Street Prestige Medical, our dermatology team provides individual assessment and psoriasis treatment advice based on your symptoms, medical history, the areas affected, and the impact psoriasis has on your daily life. Our aim is to reduce inflammation, control flare-ups and help you achieve healthier, more comfortable skin.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a long-term, immune-mediated inflammatory condition. It causes the normal turnover of skin cells to happen too quickly, leading to a build-up of cells on the skin’s surface. This can produce raised, scaly patches, known as plaques, which may feel itchy, dry, sore or painful.

Psoriasis commonly affects the:

  • Elbows and knees
  • Scalp and skin behind the ears
  • Lower back and trunk
  • Hands and feet
  • Nails
  • Skin folds, including the groin and beneath the breasts

However, psoriasis can appear almost anywhere on the body.

Psoriasis is not contagious. It cannot be caught or passed to another person through touch, close contact or sharing towels.

Common Symptoms of Psoriasis

Symptoms vary from person to person and can change over time. Common signs include:

  • Raised, inflamed or clearly defined patches of skin
  • Silvery-white, grey or flaky scales
  • Dry or cracked skin that may bleed
  • Itching, burning or stinging
  • Tender or painful skin
  • Scalp scaling or flaking
  • Thickened, ridged, discoloured, lifting or pitted nails

Psoriasis can look different on different skin tones. Patches may appear pink or red on lighter skin and purple, dark brown or grey on darker skin. Changes in skin colour may remain temporarily after a plaque has settled.

Many people experience periods when their symptoms are mild or almost absent, followed by flare-ups when psoriasis becomes more active.

Several skin conditions can resemble psoriasis. A professional assessment is therefore important if you have persistent, recurring or unexplained skin changes.

Psoriasis and Joint Symptoms

Some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. Early assessment is important because untreated inflammation can cause lasting joint damage.

Speak to a healthcare professional if you experience recurring or persistent:

  • Joint pain, swelling or stiffness
  • Morning stiffness or stiffness after rest
  • Swollen fingers or toes
  • Heel pain
  • Reduced movement

What Causes Psoriasis?

The exact cause is not fully understood. Psoriasis is linked to overactivity of the immune system together with genetic and environmental factors.

In psoriasis, immune activity promotes inflammation and speeds up the production of skin cells. These cells then accumulate on the surface, creating the characteristic plaques and scales.

Having a family history of psoriasis can increase your likelihood of developing it, although a genetic predisposition does not mean symptoms will definitely occur.

Common Triggers to Watch For

Triggers differ between individuals. Recognising your own patterns can help you and your dermatologist manage the condition more effectively.

Common triggers include:

  • Stress: Emotional or physical stress can contribute to flare-ups.
  • Skin injury: Cuts, scratches, burns, sunburn and repeated rubbing may cause new plaques at the injured site. This is called the Koebner phenomenon.
  • Infections: Streptococcal throat infection is particularly associated with guttate psoriasis. Other infections may also trigger or worsen symptoms.
  • Weather and sunlight: Cold, dry weather can aggravate psoriasis. Sunlight helps some people but worsens symptoms in others, and sunburn may trigger a flare.
  • Certain medicines: Some medicines, including lithium, antimalarial medicines and some treatments for high blood pressure, may worsen psoriasis in certain people. Do not stop prescribed medicine without speaking to the clinician who prescribed it.
  • Smoking and alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol intake are associated with more severe psoriasis and poorer treatment response.
  • Hormonal or physical changes: Pregnancy and other changes in the body can improve or worsen symptoms.

Keeping a simple symptom diary can help you and your medical dermatologist identify your personal triggers over time.

Can Psoriasis Be Cured?

There is currently no permanent cure for psoriasis, but it can often be controlled effectively. Treatment can reduce inflammation, scaling, itching and discomfort, improve the appearance of plaques and extend periods when symptoms are minimal or absent.

The most appropriate psoriasis treatment depends on several factors, including:

  • The type and severity of psoriasis
  • The areas affected, including high-impact sites such as the face, scalp, hands, feet, nails or genitals
  • Previous treatments and how well they worked
  • Your general health and other medical conditions
  • Any joint symptoms
  • The effect psoriasis has on your wellbeing and daily life

Psoriasis Treatment Options

At Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, treatment recommendations are based on your individual presentation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin and are often used for mild to moderate psoriasis. Depending on the type and location of psoriasis, these may include:

Emollients: Moisturisers and soap substitutes help reduce dryness, scaling and cracking and support the skin barrier.

  • Emollients: Moisturisers and soap substitutes help reduce dryness, scaling and cracking and support the skin barrier.
  • Topical corticosteroids: These can reduce inflammation, redness and itching. The correct strength, site and duration are important because inappropriate or prolonged use may cause side effects.
  • Vitamin D analogues: These help regulate excessive skin-cell production and may reduce plaque thickness and scaling.
  • Scale-softening preparations: Products containing ingredients such as salicylic acid may help loosen thick scale and allow other treatments to work more effectively.
  • Other prescribed topical treatments: Coal tar, dithranol, topical retinoids or other medicines may be suitable in selected cases.

Your dermatologist will advise which treatment is appropriate, how much to apply, where to use it and for how long. Treatments suitable for the body may not be suitable for sensitive areas such as the face, genitals or skin folds.

Emollient fire safety: Residue from emollients can build up on clothing, bedding and dressings and make them catch fire more easily. Keep away from cigarettes, naked flames and other sources of ignition.

Phototherapy

For more extensive or persistent psoriasis, a dermatologist may recommend phototherapy. This uses carefully controlled ultraviolet light, usually narrowband UVB or, in selected cases, PUVA, to reduce inflammation and slow excessive skin-cell production.

Phototherapy is normally delivered as a course of treatment in a specialist unit according to a medical protocol. Sunbeds are not a safe substitute and can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing.

Systemic Treatments

If psoriasis is moderate to severe, widespread, resistant to topical treatment or having a substantial effect on quality of life, medicines that work throughout the body may be considered.

Options can include methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin, apremilast or other systemic treatments. Suitability depends on your health, the pattern and severity of psoriasis, previous treatment and individual risk factors.

These medicines require specialist supervision. Blood tests and other monitoring may be needed before and during treatment.

Biologic Treatments

Biologic medicines target specific parts of the immune system involved in psoriasis. They may be considered for eligible patients with moderate to severe psoriasis when other treatments have not provided adequate control, are unsuitable or have caused significant side effects.

Treatment requires specialist assessment, screening and ongoing monitoring. Where phototherapy, systemic medicine or biologic treatment is indicated, an appropriate specialist referral may be arranged.

Lifestyle and Skincare Support

Medical treatment is only one part of successful psoriasis management. Helpful measures may include:

  • Moisturising regularly with a suitable emollient
  • Using gentle cleansers and avoiding products that irritate the skin
  • Avoiding scratching and protecting damaged skin
  • Following treatment instructions consistently
  • Maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity
  • Working towards a healthy weight where appropriate
  • Managing stress where possible
  • Stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake
  • Keeping track of possible triggers and flare-ups

Lifestyle changes can support your overall health and treatment plan, but they should not replace appropriate medical care.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Call 999 or go to A&E if your skin rapidly becomes red or darker than usual and develops pus-filled bumps, particularly if these spread or join together, or if you also have a high temperature, a fast heartbeat, feel shivery or feel seriously unwell. These symptoms can indicate a severe form of psoriasis or infection requiring urgent assessment.

Why Choose Harley Street Prestige Medical for Psoriasis Care?

Living with psoriasis can be physically uncomfortable and emotionally challenging, but the right medical support can make it easier to manage.

If you are looking for a psoriasis specialist in London, our experienced team can assess your symptoms and recommend a personalised treatment approach. At Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, our dermatology team takes time to understand your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments and the effect psoriasis has on your life. We provide a personalised assessment, explain suitable options clearly and help you develop a practical long-term management plan.

If you require treatment outside the services available at our clinic, we can advise on the appropriate next step or specialist referral.

Book Your Psoriasis Consultation

If you are experiencing persistent itching, soreness, scaling or recurring flare-ups, a professional assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and identify appropriate treatment.

Book a consultation with an experienced psoriasis specialist in London for a thorough assessment, clear guidance and an individual psoriasis management plan.

Medical Information Notice

This article is provided for general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment plan. Treatment suitability varies between patients.

Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you have persistent, worsening or unexplained symptoms. Do not start, stop or change prescribed treatment without medical advice.

Medical References

This article has been informed by recognised UK clinical guidance and dermatologist-reviewed patient information:

  • NHS – Psoriasis: information about symptoms, causes, triggers, treatment and when to seek help.
  • NICE – Psoriasis: Assessment and Management (CG153): UK clinical guidance covering assessment, topical treatments, phototherapy, systemic treatment and ongoing care.
  • British Association of Dermatologists – Psoriasis: An Overview: dermatologist-reviewed patient information about psoriasis, related conditions and treatment options.

These references support the general medical information provided on this page. Individual circumstances may affect the advice and treatment recommended.