Before doctors knew what caused psoriasis, they often confused it with leprosy -- and people who had it were considered contagious. Now, we know that you cannot catch the condition by brushing up against someone who has it. You also can't get it from kissing, having sex, or swimming in the same water as a person with psoriasis.
People get psoriasis because of their genes, not because of bad hygiene, their diet or lifestyle, or any other habits. They didn’t get it from someone else, and they cannot infect others.
Even so, there’s a lot of stigma around the condition, which can be hard for people who have it. They might feel uncomfortable when people stare at their lesions or avoid touching them, and they may try to hide their outbreaks under long clothing.