7 Common Psoriasis Myths Debunked: Facts You Need to Know
Skin ConditionsPsoriasis

7 Psoriasis Myths and the Facts That Debunk Them

Don’t be fooled by these common misconceptions about psoriasis.
7 Psoriasis Myths and the Facts That Debunk Them
iStock; Everyday Health
By
Published on November 12, 2025
by

For people with psoriasis — a chronic skin disease in which skin cells build up, typically causing discolored, itchy or scaly patches — living with the condition itself is difficult enough. But on top of that, you might have to deal with other people’s misconceptions about psoriasis.

There are several kinds of psoriasis, and even the same kind of psoriasis can look different from person to person, so it shouldn’t be surprising that there’s confusion about what living with psoriasis looks like.

Here are a few myths about psoriasis, followed by the actual facts.

1. Myth: Psoriasis Is Contagious

“Psoriasis is not an infection and therefore cannot be spread to others,” says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine in Geneva, Illinois.

While psoriasis can resemble many common skin infections, it’s not caused by viruses, bacteria, or anything else that’s contagious. Instead, it’s an immune-mediated disease, which means a person’s immune system is responsible for the dysfunctional buildup of skin cells.

2. Myth: Psoriasis Is Just a Skin Condition

Psoriasis typically affects your skin first and most visibly, but it can have far-reaching effects in your body.

“Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the entire body,” says Dr. Taglia. “Patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and arthritis.”

In fact, about a third of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain and stiffness in joints and other connective tissue. People with psoriasis are also at an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, anxiety and depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and many other health conditions.

The good news is that getting effective treatment for psoriasis reduces your risk of developing complications or related health conditions.

3. Myth: Psoriasis Is Caused by Poor Hygiene

“Psoriasis is not a condition caused by hygiene,” says Kimberly Katz, MD, a dermatologist at UW Medicine in Seattle. “Psoriasis is caused by dysregulation of a part of the immune system.”

At the same time, good hygiene practices are important when you have psoriasis. That means generally keeping the area clean and moisturized to minimize skin dryness and cracking and to reduce your risk of developing a skin infection.

But hot water, long baths or showers, and harsh cleansers can all dry out your skin and make psoriasis symptoms worse. Instead, bathe quickly using warm water and a gentle cleanser, and follow up with a thick cream to help maintain moisture.

4. Myth: Psoriasis Is Caused by Stress

While stress doesn’t cause psoriasis in the first place, it may contribute to flare-ups in people with the disease.

“Stress can affect many inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis,” says Dr. Katz. Unfortunately, psoriasis itself can be a significant source of stress for some people, potentially causing harmful interplay between physical and psychological symptoms.

It’s not easy or straightforward to reduce stress in your life, but many people find that practices like meditation, regular exercise, and social interaction can be helpful. And don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.

9 Psoriasis Dos and Don’ts

Explore the dos and don’ts for living with psoriasis.
9 Psoriasis Dos and Don’ts

Next up video playing in 10 seconds

5. Myth: Psoriasis Plaques Are Always Red or Pink

“Psoriasis is not always pink or red,” says Katz. “In people with melanin-rich skin, psoriasis can appear as darker, thickened papules or plaques without appreciable pink or red color.”

For people with darker skin tones, psoriasis may appear salmon colored, dark brown, or purple, and scales may appear grayish in color. Plaques may also be thicker or have more visible scaling.

Because of misconceptions about how psoriasis looks, the disease may go undiagnosed at a higher rate in people with darker skin. And even in people with diagnosed psoriasis, an active flare-up may be wrongly seen as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark skin patches) from previous active disease.

6. Myth: Psoriasis Is Curable

“While psoriasis cannot be cured, it is treatable and manageable,” says Taglia. “As dermatologists, our goal is to determine the best personalized treatment plan for our patients.”

A variety of treatments may be effective for psoriasis, from topical ointments to oral and injected or infused drugs. Your treatment plan will be based on the type, location, and severity of your psoriasis, as well as any other health conditions you have and your response to current or previous treatments.

The goals of psoriasis treatment include relieving discomfort, clearing your psoriasis, and helping to prevent or treat complications like psoriatic arthritis. For some people, treatment is effective enough to keep them free of all psoriasis symptoms.

7. Myth: Children of Parents With Psoriasis Will Have It, Too

“Many genetic variants have been associated with psoriasis,” says Katz. “However, not everyone with psoriasis has a family history, nor will everyone with psoriasis be at risk of passing the condition to their children.”

Psoriasis does often run in families. Your risk of developing psoriasis is higher if you have one parent with the disease and even higher if both parents have psoriasis. If you have a family history of psoriasis and are concerned about your risk, it’s especially important not to smoke — tobacco use is known to increase the likelihood of developing psoriasis, as well as the severity of the disease.

The Takeaway

  • Psoriasis is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene. It’s caused by dysregulation of a part of the immune system.
  • Although it primarily affects the skin, psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the entire body.
  • While there is no cure for psoriasis, it is highly manageable, with a variety of treatments.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. About Psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. June 24, 2025.
  2. Related Conditions of Psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. July 17, 2025.
  3. 8 Ways to Stop Baths and Showers From Worsening Your Psoriasis. American Academy of Dermatology.
  4. Life With Psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. January 22, 2025.
  5. Skin of Color Resource Center. National Psoriasis Foundation.
  6. Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology. July 16, 2025.
  7. Psoriasis. Mayo Clinic. February 21, 2025.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Dr. Sanober Pezad

Sanober Pezad Doctor, MD

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor is a double board-certified dermatologist and internationally recognized leader in integrative and holistic dermatology. She is an anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialist and the founder of AGEnesis and Baby SkinWise.

She earned her MD in dermatology, venereology, and leprology and a diplomate of national board (DNB) in dermatology. She is board certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She's also a trained clinical homeopath through the Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH).

Sanober is the founder of AGEnesis: The Holistic Aging Blueprint, a science-backed, multidimensional protocol for healthy skin aging, and Baby SkinWise, the world’s first audiovisual skincare guide for parents. She also hosts the YouTube channel "Healthy Aging with Dr. Doctor," where she delivers educational content on evidence-based skincare, hair health, and integrative health practices.

Sanober is a medical school gold medalist and recipient of multiple national and international awards. She is also the chief dermatology medical advisor for emerging clinical research in integrative skin and hair health, with more than 50 published scientific articles.

Sanober is a proactive, compassionate medical practitioner with a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. She's also a key advocate for the healthy aging movement. She's a simple mommy to the core and strongly believes "prevention is better than cure." She's on a mission to make you and me into the healthiest version of ourselves.

See full bio

Quinn Phillips

Author

A freelance health writer and editor based in Wisconsin, Quinn Phillips has a degree in government from Harvard University. He writes on a variety of topics, but is especially interested in the intersection of health and public policy. Phillips has written for various publications and websites, such as Diabetes Self-Management, Practical Diabetology, and Gluten-Free Living, among others.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network