Do I Have Psoriasis? Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition - not an infection, not contagious, and not caused by poor hygiene.
• It affects around 2% of the UK population - that's over 1.3 million people.
• Psoriasis happens when the immune system triggers skin cells to renew up to ten times faster than normal, causing thick, scaly plaques to build up on the surface.
• There are five types - plaque psoriasis is the most common, affecting 80-90% of people with the condition.
• Psoriasis and eczema look similar but have different causes and need different approaches.
• Common triggers include stress, infections, certain medications, alcohol, and skin injuries.
• There's no cure, but symptoms can be well managed with the right routine, products, and medical support.
• Ingredients to look for: shea butter, sweet almond oil, Bhringraj, Amla, and Black Assam tea.
• Ingredients to avoid: synthetic fragrance, sulphates, and alcohol.
• 29th October is World Psoriasis Day. This year's theme is #LookBeyondMySkin.

Dry, flaky, itchy patches that won't settle. Plaques that come and go. A scalp that feels constantly irritated. If any of this sounds familiar, you might be wondering whether what you're dealing with is psoriasis - and if so, what to do about it.

The Science Bit

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly goes into overdrive, triggering skin cells to renew far too quickly - in two to three days instead of the usual 28. The cells pile up on the surface before they can shed naturally, creating the raised, thickened patches covered in silvery or grey scales that are the hallmark of the condition.

Psoriasis isn't a problem with the skin itself - it's the skin responding to signals from an overactive immune system. It's also not contagious, not caused by poor hygiene, and doesn't always look the same on different skin tones. On darker skin, plaques may appear grey, purple, or dark brown rather than red - one reason it's frequently misdiagnosed or missed entirely in people with brown or black skin.

Key Factor 1: What Are the Types of Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis - the most common type (80-90% of cases). Raised, dry, clearly defined patches with silvery-white or grey scale. Most often appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.

Scalp psoriasis - affects around half of all people with psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis symptoms include thick flaking similar to (but heavier than) dandruff, itching, soreness, and redness or discolouration that can extend beyond the hairline.

Guttate psoriasis - small, drop-shaped spots rather than large plaques. Often appears suddenly after a strep throat infection and may resolve on its own.

Inverse psoriasis - develops in skin folds (underarms, groin, beneath breasts). Tends to be smooth and shiny rather than scaly.

Pustular psoriasis - white or yellowish blisters surrounded by inflamed skin. Less common, can affect the hands and feet or larger areas of the body.

Key Factor 2: What Are the Reasons for Psoriasis?

The exact psoriasis causes aren't fully understood, but it involves a combination of genetics and environmental triggers. If a family member has psoriasis, your likelihood is higher - but plenty of people with no family history develop it too.

Common triggers that bring psoriasis on or worsen it:

• Stress - the most consistently reported trigger, and an especially frustrating one
• Infections - particularly strep throat, linked to guttate psoriasis
• Skin injury - scratches, burns, or sunburn can trigger new plaques at the site (the Koebner phenomenon)
• Certain medications - including some beta blockers and antimalarials
• Smoking and alcohol - associated with more frequent and more severe flare-ups
• Hormonal changes - puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all affect psoriasis

A simple diary of when flare-ups happen, and what was going on at the time, can be genuinely useful for spotting your personal triggers.

Key Factor 3: Psoriasis vs Eczema - How to Tell the Difference

Both conditions cause itchy, inflamed skin that flares and settles, which is why they're so often confused. But they have different causes and respond to different treatments.

The simplest rule of thumb: psoriasis looks thicker and more defined; eczema looks rawer and more irritated. If you're not sure, see your GP - a proper diagnosis is the right starting point for any eczema and psoriasis treatment plan.

Key Factor 4: Ingredients That Help (and Hurt)

Consistent moisturisation is one of the most effective things you can do for psoriasis day-to-day - it softens plaques, eases the itch, and supports the skin barrier regardless of whatever medical treatment you're using alongside it.

Look for in any skin psoriasis cream:

• Shea butter - softens plaques and soothes inflammation
• Sweet almond oil - deeply moisturising and calming for dry, irritated patches
• Bhringraj - anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal; particularly effective for scalp psoriasis symptoms
• Amla - calms inflammation and strengthens the skin's natural defences
• Black Assam Tea - the hero ingredient in the Migh-Tea range; powerfully anti-inflammatory
• Lavender oil - gently calming, particularly useful for scalp applications

Avoid:

• Synthetic fragrance
• Sulphates (SLS/SLES)
• Alcohol-based ingredients
• Harsh preservatives

Key Factor 5: The Delhicious Products That Help

For body psoriasis: Our Migh-Tea Moisture Balm, dermatologist approved, fragrance-free option available, and built around Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, and Black Assam Tea. Apply as often as needed to plaques and dry patches. For more stubborn areas, our Migh-Tea Moisture Salve goes deeper with a richer, more concentrated formula. It's the eczema and psoriasis treatment our customers come back to most.

For scalp psoriasis: Our Scalp-Eaze Balm targets scalp psoriasis symptoms directly - apply to affected areas, leave for 20 minutes, rinse out. Our Rich Roots Hair Oil used as a pre-wash scalp treatment is also worth adding; Bhringraj and Amla work particularly well on the scalp inflammation that underlies scalp psoriasis.

Small Changes That Make a Real Difference

Diet and lifestyle won't cure psoriasis, but they can meaningfully reduce flare-up frequency and severity:

Manage stress - exercise, mindfulness, better sleep, or therapy. Anything that works for you makes a real difference to psoriasis too.

Watch alcohol intake - directly linked to more frequent and more severe flare-ups.

Eat anti-inflammatory foods - oily fish, colourful vegetables, fruits, and wholegrains. Processed food and refined sugar can do the opposite.

Top up Vitamin D - low levels are linked to worse symptoms. In the UK, supplementing October to March is worth discussing with your GP.

Be gentle with your skin - avoid anything that injures or irritates. Even minor scratches can trigger new plaques. Lukewarm showers, fragrance-free products, and a light touch go a long way.

World Psoriasis Day 2026: #LookBeyondMySkin

29th October is World Psoriasis Day, observed in over 70 countries since 2004. This year's theme, #LookBeyondMySkin, shines a light on young people living with psoriasis. Nearly one in three people with the condition develops it before the age of 18 - and many feel alone, isolated, and misunderstood at exactly the time in their life when that's hardest to bear.

The campaign is asking all of us to look beyond the surface, listen to those living with psoriasis, and create a world where no one has to justify their condition to be accepted.

If you or someone you know needs support, the Psoriasis Association (psoriasis-association.org.uk) offers information, a helpline, and community. Psoriasis is so much more than a skin condition. Nobody should face it alone.