Plaque psoriasis is a chronic disease that's driven by an overactive immune system. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis.
While the exact cause of plaque psoriasis is unknown, we do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles.
With plaque psoriasis, there are also external factors or “triggers,” that can have an impact. For example, stress is a trigger. Triggers like stress can cause symptoms to appear or make them worse. Learn more about plaque psoriasis causes and triggers here.
Plaque psoriasis can show up differently on different people, but some of the plaque psoriasis symptoms that most people experience are: red, raised, and scaly skin patches.
Plaque psoriasis is diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe based on both the percentage of skin affected and the location and severity of the plaques.
While plaques usually show up on the hands, feet, elbows, knees, and back, they can also show up in the form of scalp psoriasis or genital psoriasis.
It’s important to speak with your doctor and receive an accurate diagnosis before beginning treatment.
Mild
Plaque Psoriasis*
Moderate
Plaque Psoriasis
Severe
Plaque Psoriasis
One of the first things your dermatologist will want to know is what percentage of your body’s skin surface shows the redness, thickness, and scaling of plaque psoriasis. As a point of reference, your handprint is about the same size as 1% of your skin’s surface.
*A treatment like SKYRIZI is not meant to treat cases of mild psoriasis.
If certain treatments—like topical options or phototherapy—were not enough, biologics may be an option for you.
Biologics work with—and within—your immune system. Since biologics work inside your body, they’re typically given by injection.
Once inside the body, biologics attach to certain proteins and help block their ability to contribute to the excess inflammation that causes skin cells to develop too fast. One of the proteins that may be responsible is called IL-23.
SKYRIZI attaches to IL-23.
This can help reduce the overproduction of IL-23 inside your body that leads to plaques on your skin.
Looking for additional details on how SKYRIZI works?
Take a look at the science behind SKYRIZI.
SKYRIZI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).
SKYRIZI may cause serious side effects, including infections. SKYRIZI is a prescription medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with SKYRIZI and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with SKYRIZI if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with SKYRIZI.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
SKYRIZI may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about SKYRIZI?”
The most common side effects of SKYRIZI include upper respiratory infections, fungal skin infections, headache, feeling tired, and injection site reactions.
These are not all the possible side effects of SKYRIZI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Use SKYRIZI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
US-RISN-180038
Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide, for SKYRIZI.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
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