Psoriasis can also affect other genital tissue, including the penis, vulva, and pubic area.
Genital psoriasis can be very uncomfortable and even embarrassing.
It is treated with topical steroids, prescription creams, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
This article discusses buttock psoriasis and other types of genital psoriasis.
What Is Anal and Buttock Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes itchy, painful patches of skin on any part of the body.
Genital psoriasis can negatively impact your sex life.
It may also cause self-consciousness.
What Does Butt Psoriasis Look Like?
Patches of inverse psoriasis appear bright red, smooth, and shiny.
Skin lesions usually dont have silvery scales or dry skin that flakes off.
Here is a quick look at specific types of genital psoriasis.
Causes and Risk Factors For Genital and Butt Psoriasis
Psoriasis is anautoimmune skin disease.
Scientists dont know exactly whatcausesit or why it spreads to the buttocks, anus, or genital areas.
Genes appear to play a significant part in the development of psoriasis.
Environmental factors can increase your risk of psoriasis.
These include:
Psoriasis or Jock Itch?
The skin might become cracked, and it might itch, burn, or sting.
Fortunately, jock itch isnt a serious condition.
It is temporary and treatable with over-the-counter antifungal creams and good hygiene habits.
Both conditions cause pain, discolored skin patches, and severe itching.
People with inverse psoriasis often have another throw in of psoriasis elsewhere on the body.
Reach out to yourdermatologistif you experience anal or genital symptoms.
If you suspect you have psoriasis on your buttocks or genitals, talk to your healthcare provider.
Psoriasis is treated with a combination of self-care strategies and prescriptionmedications.
Prescription oral medications are also used to manage symptoms of genital psoriasis and treat the underlying cause.
These include:
Injectable Medications
Injections are often used to treat psoriasis.
It’s FDA-approved for use in treating psoriatic arthritis.
Self-Care Strategies
Psoriasis in the genital and anal areas should also be managed with self-care.
Choose products labeled cooling over warming lubricants.
Warming lubricants often contain ingredients that inflame sensitive skin and might trigger psoriasis flares.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following ways to reduce irritation with sexual intercourse.
There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatment will help you to feel better and clear your skin.
There are many treatment options.
A healthcare professional can help.
2019;12:953-959. doi:10.2147/CCID.S189000
National Psoriasis Foundation.Genital psoriasis.
2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347
University of Michigan.Jock itch.
2020;9(11):3594. doi:10.3390/jcm9113594
American Academy of Dermatology.How can I treat genital psoriasis?
American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis treatment: Tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Oral treatments.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Current biologics on the market.
Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of Prescribing Information (Orencia).
2013;18(6):477-81.
