Is Psoriasis Contagious? And Other Common Psoriasis Myths Debunked
Key takeaways:
Psoriasis is a common autoimmune skin condition that affects people of all ages.
There are many myths about psoriasis that can negatively affect people living with it.
Learning the facts about psoriasis can help remove the stigma associated with it.
As a dermatologist, I’ve treated many people with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease that affects over 8 million people in the U.S. For many of them, living with psoriasis is much more than skin deep. They are often stigmatized because of their skin — being labeled as contagious or blamed for their psoriasis. This contributes to the increased levels of depression that many people with psoriasis have. There is a lot of misinformation about psoriasis. Here, we’ll set the record straight on some of the most common psoriasis myths.
Myth #1: Psoriasis is contagious
Skin infections with certain bacteria (like staphylococcus, also called staph) can cause itchy, red patches that can be crusty or ooze fluid. Sometimes psoriasis can look similar — especially if it’s been scratched or it’s very severe. So, it’s not a surprise that some people may think psoriasis is contagious.
But psoriasis is not an infection, and it is never contagious — no matter what it looks like or how severe it is. Whether you’re sharing a meal or a hug, swimming in the same pool, or playing on the same team, you can’t catch psoriasis from someone who has it.
Does poor hygiene cause psoriasis?
No, psoriasis is not caused by poor hygiene. In psoriasis, the skin grows too quickly, causing red patches with thick, white scale. Some people assume that the thick scale happens because the person isn’t clean. The truth is that the flakes can’t be washed off and they have nothing to do with hygiene.
Myth #2: Psoriasis is only skin deep
Psoriasis doesn’t just affect the skin — it also causes inflammation in other parts of the body. People with psoriasis are more likely to have these other serious health conditions:
Psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful, swollen joints
Depression and anxiety
Inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
If you have psoriasis, it’s important to see your provider to get screened for these conditions since you could have them without knowing it. Treating your psoriasis can also lower the risk of getting some of these conditions.
Myth #3: Psoriasis can cause fertility problems
Having psoriasis doesn’t affect your chances of getting pregnant. But having psoriasis on your genitals may cause pain or embarrassment that can prevent you from being intimate with your partner. The good news is that there are effective treatments that can help treat all types of psoriasis.
It’s important to know that some medications used in psoriasis may affect fertility. They can cause a low sperm count or harm an unborn baby. Some of these medications need to be stopped before trying to conceive so that they are cleared from your body. If you’re planning a pregnancy, it’s a good idea to talk to your provider to see what medications are safe to use.
Myth #4: All psoriasis is the same
There are different types of psoriasis that can affect different parts of the body. Some common locations for psoriasis are the:
Scalp
Genital skin (including inner and upper thighs)
Face
Hands, feet, and nails
Skin folds (like under arms and breasts)
Types of psoriasis
Here are the main types of psoriasis, from most to least common:
Plaque psoriasis has red patches with thick scale that can affect anywhere but is common on the scalp, knees, and elbows.
Inverse psoriasis has smooth, red patches that affect skin folds like the genitals and under the breasts.
Guttate psoriasis has small, round, red spots that often affect the arms, legs, and torso, and it can start after an infection like strep throat.
Pustular psoriasis has small painful, pus-filled bumps that can appear on certain areas (like the hands and feet) or involve larger areas of skin.
Erythrodermic psoriasis is rare, and it causes large areas of skin to turn red and then shed layers of skin. This type can be life-threatening.
Is psoriasis genetic?
We don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, but your genes can play a role. About 30% of people with psoriasis have a first-degree relative with it (like a parent or sibling). And if two parents have psoriasis, there is about a 50% chance that their child will develop it.
But it’s not just about your genes — it’s possible to develop psoriasis even if no one in your family has it.
Myth #5: Psoriasis and eczema are the same
Psoriasis and eczema can look similar – they can both have red, itchy patches of skin – but they are different conditions. Here are some key differences:
Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune condition that causes your skin to grow too fast. It can affect all ages, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 25. People with psoriasis are more likely to have other health problems, like diabetes and heart disease.
Eczema refers to a group of conditions that can cause red, itchy skin. When people talk about eczema, they’re usually referring to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type of eczema. This type usually starts before the age of 5, and many people will grow out of it as they get older. They are also more likely to have asthma, hay fever, or allergies to food.
Can psoriasis turn into eczema?
No. Psoriasis can’t turn into eczema, and eczema can’t turn into psoriasis.
Are they treated the same?
Most treatments for psoriasis and eczema (atopic dermatitis) work by lowering inflammation and the immune response. Because of this, some treatments work well for both conditions, like:
Corticosteroid creams (like mometasone)
Phototherapy (light therapy done in your provider’s office)
But many treatments are used for either psoriasis or eczema, so it’s important to know what condition you have. You may need to see a dermatologist or other provider with skin expertise to get the right diagnosis.
Myth #6: Diet doesn’t matter
No specific diet can cure psoriasis, but what you eat may improve your symptoms and decrease the chances that you develop some of the associated health conditions. Here are a few dietary changes that can help some people:
Gluten-free diet
Gluten is a protein found in many foods, like wheat, rye, and barley. People with psoriasis may be more likely to have gluten sensitivity (bloating, diarrhea, or pain after eating gluten) or celiac disease (an autoimmune disease that damages part of the intestine when gluten is in the diet). For these people, eliminating gluten from the diet may improve psoriasis symptoms.
Mediterranean diet
This diet includes foods like olive oil, legumes, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish, while limiting meat and dairy. This may help improve psoriasis symptoms in some people, but more studies need to be done to see how effective it is. The Mediterranean diet also helps lower the risk of getting diabetes, which is more common in people with psoriasis.
Weight loss
One thing we do know — if you have overweight or obesity, weight loss can improve your psoriasis by:
Decreasing how much psoriasis is on your skin
Decreasing how severe your psoriasis is
Helping your psoriasis medications work better
Does smoking affect psoriasis?
Smoking cigarettes can definitely affect psoriasis. Studies have found that if you smoke, you may have:
An increased risk of developing psoriasis
More severe psoriasis if you have it
Psoriasis that doesn’t respond as well to treatment.
It’s also possible that passive smoking (not smoking but being around others who do) may increase the risk of developing psoriasis. If you smoke, talk to your provider about ways to quit.
Myth #7: Psoriasis is curable
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are many effective treatments that can improve your skin and symptoms. These treatments can also help lower the risk of developing other health conditions associated with psoriasis, like psoriatic arthritis and heart disease.
The bottom line
Psoriasis is a common autoimmune skin disease. There are many myths about psoriasis that can negatively affect people living with it. It’s important to learn the facts about psoriasis to treat it appropriately and to remove some of the stigma associated with it.
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