psoriasis meaning - #7089

A few months ago, I started noticing dry, flaky patches on my elbows and knees. At first, I thought it was just dry skin or maybe some kind of allergy, but no matter how much moisturizer I used, it wouldn't go away. The skin felt rough, itchy, and sometimes even burned a little. Then, it started spreading—now I have patches on my scalp and even a few on my lower back. When I finally went to a doctor, they told me it might be psoriasis, but I still don’t fully understand the psoriasis meaning. I always thought psoriasis was just a skin condition, but my doctor said it’s actually an autoimmune disorder. Does that mean my immune system is attacking my skin? And if that’s the case, is it only affecting my skin, or could it cause other problems inside my body too? I’ve also heard that psoriasis is a chronic condition, which kind of worries me. Does that mean it never goes away completely? Will I have to deal with these patches forever? Or do some people experience flare-ups that come and go? My doctor mentioned that things like stress and diet can trigger it, but I don’t really understand how that works. Another thing—my scalp is really bad. I get these thick, white flakes that look like dandruff but way worse. Sometimes, when I scratch, my scalp even bleeds a little. Is scalp psoriasis different from regular dandruff? And what’s the best way to treat it? Do normal dandruff shampoos work, or do I need something stronger? I’ve seen people talking about different treatments, like creams, light therapy, and even injections. But how do I know which one is right for me? Are there any home remedies that actually work, or is medical treatment the only way to control psoriasis? Also, is psoriasis genetic? No one in my family has it (at least, not that I know of), so I’m not sure why I got it. And is there a way to prevent it from spreading even more? If anyone has psoriasis, how do you manage it? What actually helps, and what makes it worse?