Britney Spears 'suffering from psoriasis'

The stress of judging on The X Factor has hit Britney Spears hard, the National Enquirer claims. The scaly patches on Britney's ankle are cited as proof of her psoriasis.

Britney Spears is suffering from psoriasis, according to the National Enquirer.

The magazine claims the stress of being a judge on The x Factor has brought on the embarrassing skin condition, citing the scaly patches on her right ankle and left heel.

Spears, who had very public breakdown four years ago, has admitted she found the return to the spotlight nerve-wracking.

A source told the National Enquirer: "Britney has had the skin condition for a long time, but it only flares up when she's under extreme pressure.

"Now she can't seem to stop scratching and picking at the sores. She has a psoriasis skin cream, but she says it burns, so she stopped using it."

Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease. The most common form manifests itself in red and white scaly patches on the skin that are often itchy.