Brandi Glanville's Psoriasis Diagnosis Explained

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Brandi Glanville might be used to sharing certain aspects of her life to the public, but one she is not so eager to talk about is her psoriasis. The 48-year-old celebrity told People that one of the reasons she does not like to talk about it is because doing so can cause a flare-up, adding that the condition is "100% stress induced." Glanville said that she was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was a young girl, but it was not too troubling then. However, when she began to experience flare-ups on her face, she could no longer hide it.

There are several types of psoriasis, but almost all forms of the condition appear on the body in the form of dry, rough, itchy patches. Most of the time, breakouts will occur on elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. The patches can also form on the face and ears, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Harvard Health Publishing notes that psoriasis is a type of immune disorder where the skin produces new cells too quickly, which causes a scaly reaction. There is no clear reason why this happens, but some doctors believe that part of it could be hereditary. That being said, genetics are not a sole cause. In fact, the most common trigger is mental stress, which causes a chemical reaction in the body that accelerates an inflammatory response. Other causes include certain medications, skin injuries, and respiratory infections.

Psoriasis can be difficult to treat, and what works for one person might not work for another. For some, topical treatments work well, per the National Psoriasis Foundation. Prescription drugs are often used to treat moderate and severe cases of psoriasis. Other people might respond to light therapy, which Glanville tried. However, she stayed under the light for too long, causing second and third degree burns, according to People.