Psoriasis can cause complications depending on the type and location of the psoriasis and how widespread the disease is. These include:
- THICKENED SKIN and added-on bacterial skin infections caused by scratching to relieve the severe itching
- FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE in severe pustular psoriasis
- PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints and tendons.
- CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: People with psoriasis have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, especially in people with severe psoriasis. People with severe psoriasis are 58% more likely to have a major cardiac event and 43% more likely to have a stroke.
- DIABETES: People with psoriasis are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes according to a study done in 2012. People with severe psoriasis are 46% more likely to have type 2 diabetes.
- DEPRESSION: Psoriasis causes increased incidence of mood disorders such as depression. Approximately one-fourth of people with psoriasis have depression.
- CANCER: People with psoriasis have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. In some instances, these cancers have been associated with specific psoriasis treatments which suppress the immune system.
