Some common signs and symptoms ofpsoriasisare raised plaques and scales on the skin.
Different types of psoriasis affect different body areas.
These types present with different symptoms.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
Types of Psoriasis
Knowing your psoriasis key in can help your healthcare provider create a treatment plan.
Plaque psoriasis is sometimes a painful condition.
The skin lesions typically develop after abacterial infection.
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Thecondition is not contagiousand often clears after treatment.
Some people who get guttate psoriasis might later develop plaque psoriasis.
Symptoms worsen with friction and sweating.
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It is sometimes confused withfungal infectionbecause of the location in skin folds.
You might also develop a secondary infection with yeast and bacteria.
This psoriasis jot down causes the skin to become red, inflamed, and covered with pus-filled bumps.
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It can come on quickly and become severe and life-threatening.
If you develop pustular psoriasis, you will need immediate medical treatment.
It is typically treated in a hospital.
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This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
This bang out of psoriasis can be life-threatening and cause fever, chills, and dehydration.
If you develop symptoms of erythrodermic psoriasis, you should seek medical attention right away.
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Erythrodermic psoriasis is a manageable condition that requires lifelong treatment.
Proper management decreases the risk of complications.
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It accounts for up to 23% of psoriasis cases.
Nail psoriasis often co-occurs with plaque psoriasis.
If it occurs alone, it might be harder to diagnose.
PsA can also occur independently.
Both PsA and psoriasis are types ofpsoriatic disease.
PsA causes pain, swelling, stiffness of the joints, and swelling of the entheses.
It is a lifelong condition without a cure, but it is treatable and manageable.
Psoriasis Symptoms
Each punch in of psoriasis has its distinct skin symptoms.
The most common symptoms of psoriasis are thick, raised patches on the skin.
The patches are often covered with itchy, silvery scales.
Additional symptoms of psoriasis include:
The symptoms of psoriasis and PsA will come and go.
What Parts of the Body Does Psoriasis Affect?
Psoriasis skin symptoms can appear anywhere on the body.
Some types are more likely to occur in certain body areas than others.
Psoriasis flares will appear on more than one body area.
Psoriasis might also appear on the eyelids and causes scales over the eyelashes and red, crusty eyelids.
It might cause pain when walking and throw off your gait (the way you walk).
Knees and Elbows
The kneesand elbowsare common locations for psoriasis.
Lesions will appear as large, thickened areas of skin covered in scales.
Plaques might appear red or salmon-colored on light skin tones and purple on brown or black skin.
What Does Psoriasis Look Like?
How psoriasis looks depends on your jot down of psoriasis and where it appears on the body.
Even so, they are two different conditions.
Psoriasis cause dry, flaky, red skin that piles in thick patches.
Eczema often starts during childhood and might resolve by adulthood.
Though less common, adult-onset atopic dermatitis can occur later in life.
When to Seek Care
Psoriasis shares symptoms similar to those of other skin conditions, including eczema.
Most skin conditions resembling psoriasis are not autoimmune diseases, so they are treated differently.
A diagnosis of psoriasis is possible with a physical exam.
There are different types of psoriasis, but the most common is plaque psoriasis.
Some types of psoriasis are life-threatening and require immediate medical care.
Psoriasis can affect any skin area, including the knees, elbows, scalp, and trunk.
The disease commonly occurs in periods of flare-ups and remission.
Contact a healthcare provider if you experience a skin rash that lasts longer than a few days.
They can assess and determine the cause of your skin’s symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone can get psoriasis.
It affects both adults and children.
Your risk for psoriasis will be higher if other family members have the condition.
Risk factors linked to psoriasis include infections, some medicines, smoking, and obesity.
There is no cure for psoriasis, but the condition is treatable and manageable.
Psoriasis is not a contagious condition.
You cannot catch it from hugging, kissing, or caring for someone with psoriasis.
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