Is Psoriasis Contagious? What It Is and What It Is Not

It is one of the questions we hear most often in our Carlsbad dermatology clinic, usually from someone who has been stared at in a gym changing room or asked to cover up at a pool. The reassuring answer is that psoriasis starts inside the body, in the immune system, so there is nothing on the skin that anyone could catch, through touch, a shared towel, a pool or a partner.

This guide explains why psoriasis cannot spread from person to person, how it can still seem to spread on your own skin, which rashes that look similar can spread, and when it is worth having a rash checked.

Why psoriasis is not contagious

Contagious skin conditions are caused by something that can travel from one person to another: a fungus, a bacterium, a virus or a mite. Psoriasis has none of these. It is an immune-mediated disease, which means the immune system is set to “on” when it should be resting.

In psoriasis, immune cells called T cells send out signals that tell the skin to make new cells far faster than normal. Skin usually renews itself over about a month; in a psoriasis patch, new cells reach the surface in a matter of days. They pile up before they can shed, which creates the raised, scaly plaques. The redness comes from inflammation and extra blood flow in the patch.

Because all of this happens in your own immune system, there is nothing on the skin that another person could pick up. The American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation both state it plainly: you cannot catch psoriasis from anyone.

Can I catch psoriasis from…?

• Touching or hugging someone with psoriasisNo. Skin contact cannot pass it on.
• A swimming pool, hot tub or gym matNo. There is nothing in the water or on surfaces to catch.
• Sharing towels, clothes or a razorNo, although sharing razors is never a good idea for other reasons.
• Kissing or sexNo. Psoriasis on the genitals is not a sexually transmitted infection.
• Flakes of skin on furniture or clothesNo. The flakes are just skin cells.
• My mother or fatherYou cannot catch it, but you can inherit genes that make it more likely. See below.

Is psoriasis genetic?

Partly. People who carry certain genes are more likely to develop psoriasis, which is why it often runs in families. But genes are only part of the story. Many people with the “risk” genes never get psoriasis, and some people with no family history do.

In most people, psoriasis appears when a genetic tendency meets a trigger. Common triggers include:

• An infection, especially strep throat
• Skin injury, such as a cut, scratch, tattoo or bad sunburn
• Stress
• Some medicines, including lithium, prednisone and hydroxychloroquine
• Smoking
• Cold, dry weather, which is why many people flare in winter

We cover the causes and triggers in more depth in our guide to what causes psoriasis.

Is psoriasis an autoimmune disease?

Psoriasis is usually described as an immune-mediated or autoimmune disease. The immune system becomes overactive and drives inflammation in the skin, and in some people in the joints, nails and elsewhere in the body. That is also why it is linked with other conditions: people with psoriasis have a higher risk of psoriatic arthritis and of diabetes, so joint pain, morning stiffness or swollen fingers are worth mentioning to your provider.

The immune link is good news for treatment. Many of today’s most effective psoriasis medicines work by calming the specific immune signals that drive the plaques.

Two ways psoriasis can seem to “spread”

People sometimes worry that psoriasis is contagious because it seems to spread. Two things explain this, and neither involves catching anything:

Rashes that look like psoriasis but can spread

Some contagious skin conditions look a lot like psoriasis, which is one reason it is worth getting a red, scaly rash diagnosed rather than guessing. This is how they usually compare:

Condition	How it often looks	Contagious?
Psoriasis	Thick, well-defined plaques with silvery scale on elbows, knees, scalp or lower back. On brown and Black skin, plaques can look purple, grey or dark brown	No
Ringworm (tinea)	A ring-shaped patch with a scaly, raised edge and clearer centre, often itchy	Yes, a fungus
Impetigo	Sores that ooze and form honey-coloured crusts, often around the nose and mouth	Yes, bacteria
Scabies	Intense itch, worse at night, with tiny bumps or lines between fingers, on wrists and waist	Yes, mites
Eczema	Dry, itchy, less sharply defined patches, often in skin creases	No

Psoriasis and eczema are the two most commonly confused, and neither is contagious; our eczema page explains how eczema is treated. Psoriasis is also often missed or misdiagnosed on darker skin tones, which we explain in psoriasis in skin of color.

When to see a dermatology provider

It is worth booking a visit if:

• You have a red, scaly rash and are not sure what it is, especially if it is ring-shaped, crusting or very itchy at night
• Spots appeared suddenly after a sore throat or illness
• Over-the-counter creams have not helped within a few weeks
• Your nails are pitted, thickened or lifting, or your joints are stiff or swollen
• Psoriasis is affecting your sleep, work or confidence

Most psoriasis can be diagnosed by looking at the skin and nails. If the picture is unclear, a quick scraping can rule out a fungal infection, and occasionally a small skin biopsy is used to confirm it.

How psoriasis is treated at Glow Theory

Psoriasis cannot be cured yet, but it can be controlled very well, and many people have long stretches with clear or nearly clear skin. At our studio, treatment is planned by our dermatology nurse practitioner and depends on the type of psoriasis and how much skin is involved:

• Prescription topicals such as steroid creams and vitamin D creams for mild to moderate plaques
• Intralesional injections for a few stubborn, thick plaques
• Light therapy and coal tar products for wider areas
• Referral for biologics when psoriasis is moderate to severe. We do not prescribe biologics, but we work with trusted dermatologists who do

Daily care matters too: thick, fragrance-free moisturizers, short lukewarm showers and protecting the skin from scratches. Our winter psoriasis skincare guide covers the routine, and is natural sunlight good for psoriasis? explains when sun helps and when it harms.

Medical dermatology visits at Glow Theory are $150 – $375. To find out what is causing your rash and get a plan that fits your skin, see our psoriasis treatment in Carlsbad page or book a visit at our studio on El Camino Real.