What is parakeratosis, and what does it have to do with psoriasis?
Parakeratosis is a word you may have come across when you read about psoriasis, especially plaque-type psoriasis. It is a term that describes the process by which psoriatic skin continuously forms and scales off. In normal skin, the outer layer, made up mostly of cells called keratinocytes, is replaced every 27 to 28 days with newly formed keratinocytes. The replacement usually occurs without a person noticing it; if it takes place unusually quickly or in unusual amounts, we may notice flakes and scales on our skin, clothing, bedding, etc.In psoriasis, the process of keratinocyte production is sped up. New keratinocytes are formed and moved upward to the skin surface faster than they can be incorporated into skin. Some are moved upward so fast that they are not yet mature cells. The keratinocytes accumulate and are scaled off. Parakeratosis is the word used to describe the entire process. Psoriatic plaque has other features also, including inflammatory cells and dilated small blood ves
