What effect does psoriasis have on the skin?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by an accelerated skin cell turnover rate. Normally, skin cells take about a month to renew themselves, but in individuals with psoriasis, this process is significantly shortened to just a few days. This rapid turnover results in the accumulation of new skin cells on the surface before the older cells can slough off, leading to the development of thick, scaly patches that are red and inflamed.

The feature of increased turnover underlies many of the symptoms associated with psoriasis, including the presence of flaky scales and itchiness. This condition is a reflection of the underlying dysregulation of the immune system and inflammation that occurs in psoriasis. The other effects listed, while they may occur as secondary complications or co-morbidities, do not capture the primary impact of the disease on skin physiology as effectively as the accelerated cell turnover.