Psoriasis

The condition known as psoriasis is typically associated with scaling red plaques that develop on the skin. This is the result of an overactive immune system, which causes the process responsible for the natural turnover of skin cells to speed up.

The journey of a skin cell from its birth below the surface to its transition up through the layers to its eventual sloughing off takes about a month in an otherwise healthy person. For psoriasis sufferers, the journey takes only a few days. This rapid skin cell creation does not give the outermost cells the proper time to die and flake away, so they instead accumulate in layers. This creates raised scaly patches, known as plaques, that tend to be red and uncomfortable. Certain patients say they experience itching, burning, or stinging sensations in the skin where their plaques develop.

These plaques are frequently found on the body’s larger joints (knees and elbows), as well as the scalp. Some people with psoriasis—roughly one in three—also have arthritis, which manifests as joint pain.

There is no cure yet for this chronic condition, but the symptoms can be managed.

Several types of psoriasis exist, with each form developing specific symptoms that would be recognizable to a trained dermatologist.

Plaque

The most common form, plaque psoriasis is marked by scaly patches that may be red, silvery, or even purple. Although the scalp, knees, and elbows are typical areas where plaques develop, they can also form on the lower back, around or even in the navel, and virtually anywhere else on the body.

Inverse

Only about a quarter of patients develop the inverted form, which presents as very red, very itchy, but smooth patches of skin, often in areas that crease into folds: the underarms, beneath the breasts, and the buttocks. Perspiration and friction can cause the sensations to be quite painful.

Guttate

Guttate psoriasis—developing in about eight percent of patients—frequently takes the form of reddened and inflamed circles on the torso and limbs, though it can show up anywhere.

Pustular

Somewhat resembling acne, pustular psoriasis appears as painful bumps filled with pus. About three percent of patients have this form, which can also involve inflamed skin around the pustules on the hands, feet, and elsewhere.

Erythrodermic

Only two percent of psoriasis patients have the erythrodermic form, which is dangerous in the way it causes large-scale redness, skin pain, and shedding.