Genital psoriasis isn’t asexually transmitted infection.
it’s possible for you to’t get it from someone else or pass it along to others.
Rather, it’s because of an immune response that attacks healthy skin cells.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This article discusses genital psoriasis, its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
It also offers suggestions on how to cope when you have this form of psoriasis.
Itching and dandruff-like flaking are common.
Verywell / Laura Porter
When scratched, the plaques will easily bleed and worsen.
Over time, the plaques can consolidate and create large areas of dry, cracked skin.
Genital psoriasis doesn’t always look like psoriasis you get on other parts of your body.
Scales may not be seen because they tend to flake away with movement.
Instead, the affected patches of skin may look bright red and smooth.
The skin on these parts of the body is very delicate and rich in nerve endings.
Abrasions, cracks, and bleeding can easily lead to secondary infections.
Weeping and inflamed skin can often be misread as asexually transmitted infectionsuch as herpes or genital warts.
Rather than face rejection, some people simply avoid sex, leading to isolation and depression.
Certain lubricants, particularlyspermicidal ones, may irritate the skin and trigger a flare as well.
Genital psoriasis has no impact on pregnancy, sexual function, or menopause.
For reasons poorly understood, the immune system will suddenly attack normal cells and tissues.
When this happens, the ensuing inflammation causes overproduction of keratinocytes, leading to the formation of plaques.
Several genetic mutations have already been identified that appear to predispose an individual to the disease.
How Common Is Genital Psoriasis?
Genital psoriasis is common.
Diagnosis
Genital psoriasis is diagnosed based on a review of your symptoms and medical history.
Psoriatic tissue will have dense, compacted cells when viewed under a microscope.
This can help differentiate psoriasis from other likely causes, such aseczemaor cancer.
Unlike some autoimmune disorders, there are no blood tests or imaging studies that can definitively diagnose psoriasis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
How Do You Get Rid of Genital Psoriasis?
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but it can be managed to reduce symptoms and flare-ups.
This is to reduce the risk of side effects and damage to already-affected skin.
Mild genital psoriasis is typically treated with a short course of an over-the-counter 1.0% hydrocortisone ointment.
Mildcoal taris another, though less common, OTC option.
It can be used alone or alongside hydrocortisone cream on the external genitalia only.
If the skin becomes infected,topical antibioticsmay be prescribed.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend applyinglubricantsoremollientsto relieve or prevent skin dryness and cracking when using these drugs.
Other prescriptions may be considered if these treatments prove ineffective.
The prolonged use of steroids can also cause irreversible skin thinning.
If your symptoms are severe, systemic treatment may be required.
Treatment for genital psoriasis is different than treatment for other forms of the disease.
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