Could I have psoriasis?
![Happy family](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/6xxE3mdErDJqzp7tRMOaBl/d9ead82f3e39e45e34fff19c6dd8c110/Mom-dad-young-children-in-park.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Psoriasis is common. but some people have a greater risk of developing it. Do you?
![Plaque psoriasis on knees](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/54OopOYh9SGLl8xuiNuCJs/1cee8b0661e416b810e417420b31237e/psoriasis-on-knees.gif?w=450&h=300)
Dry, thick, and raised patches on the skin are a common sign of psoriasis. Here are other signs that you might have psoriasis.
![Legs of young women with diverse skin tones](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/6YHmFA7k7t4K5lneLHGpZp/a2d5d8863bfa03376065bc87da842257/psoriasis-vary-skin-color.png?w=450&h=300)
Your skin tone can affect what you see when psoriasis develops. See what can differ.
![Multi-ethnic families at a park](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/3lygTCIappjfphCiP5HYh7/a403948e33ccbf5b0b4f4e0e2f40b115/psoriasis-when-person-gets.png?w=450&h=300)
There are two peak times in your life when psoriasis is most likely to develop. Are you in one of these age groups?
![Close up of mixed race young adult mother sitting in an armchair reading a book with her baby son](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/2aCRKmhr3jaMLQoUxrGMfw/0c9d25d582b5c0c546612249ed8f8483/psoriasis-can-a-child-have.png?w=450&h=300)
Children develop all the types of psoriasis that adults do. Children, however, are more likely than adults to develop this type of psoriasis.
![Adult man scratching itchy arm while standing outside](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/3c6EM9jHuyg2yEyv5KQTCH/ace4e9641907ec934c2f8c69d8924560/psoriasis-types-have-more-than-one.png?w=450&h=300)
Some people develop more than one type of psoriasis. Discover how this can happen.
![psoriasis on elbow](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/2Z0BxQXrTqbhwjSujXrM4g/886505862a76ad5211860c292f9deb42/Psoriasis-on-elbow.jpg?w=450&h=300)
Psoriasis is not contagious. This is how people develop it.
![Dermatologist examines the condition of the skin of a patient](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/2hudslBPKkppDIXrENjzzv/f8acc7215e8508c1c94472f557c11a7f/psoriasis-diagnosed.png?w=450&h=300)
When you see a board-certified dermatologist, diagnosis begins with the doctor looking at your skin. Here’s what else you can expect.
![Patient asking dermatologist a question during office visit](http://images.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/YLMgCNA5DJW239iGJgQD9/ab09528e349c1efe0a0e67e6580dfc90/psoriasis-eczema-difference.png?w=450&h=300)
These two conditions can look alike. Watch as board-certified dermatologist Amy Paller, MD, FAAD, explains how these differ.