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

Topical creams are a common first-line treatment for psoriasis. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 25 Dec. 2024

The best moisturizers for psoriasis can play an important role in maintaining healthy skin, Dr. Mathieu says. —Amy Wilkinson, SELF, 13 Dec. 2024

However, more research is necessary to prove or disprove the use of lauric acid for psoriasis. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

It’s also used in photodynamic therapy, which utilizes low-power red laser light to drive a cell-destroying chemical reaction that can treat conditions like skin and other types of cancer, psoriasis, acne, and warts, according to the Cleveland Clinic. —Erica Sweeney, TIME, 8 Oct. 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