What Psoriasis Looks
Like
There
are five types of psoriasis. Each has its own unique signs
(what is seen)
and symptoms (what is felt by the person):
Plaque Psoriasis
About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which also is
called psoriasis vulgaris.?ulgaris?means ommon.?
How to recognize plaque
psoriasis:
-
Raised and thickened patches
of reddish skin, called laques,?which are covered by silvery-white scales.
-
Plaques
most often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest, and lower back. However,
they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals.
-
Plaques
vary in size and can appear as distinct patches or join together to cover a large
area.
-
In the early stages, the psoriasis
may be unnoticeable. The skin may itch and/or a burning sensation may be present.
-
Plaque
psoriasis usually first appears as small red bumps. Bumps gradually enlarge, and
scales form. While the top scales flake off easily and often, scales below the
surface stick together. The small red bumps develop into plaques (reddish areas
of raised and thickened skin).
-
Skin discomfort. The skin is
dry and may be painful. Skin can itch, burn, bleed, and crack. In severe cases,
the discomfort can make it difficult to sleep and focus on everyday activities.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Plaque psoriasis can develop anywhere on the body. These photographs show areas
where plaque psoriasis most commonly develops ?the scalp, lower back, elbows,
and knees.
(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National
Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides) |
Guttate Psoriasis
This 19-month-old boy developed guttate psoriasis
following an illness and accompanying fever. |
About
10% of people who get psoriasis develop guttate psoriasis, making this the second
most common type.
Guttate psoriasis most frequently develops in children
and young adults who have a history of streptococcal (strep) infections. A mild
case of guttate psoriasis may disappear without treatment, and the person may
never have another outbreak of psoriasis. Some children experience flare-ups for
a number of years. It also is possible for the psoriasis to appear later in life
as plaque psoriasis.
In some cases, guttate psoriasis is severe and
disabling, and treatment may require oral medication or injections. |
(Photo used with permission of
the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching
Slides) |
How to recognize guttate psoriasis:
-
Drop-sized, red dots form ?usually on the trunk,
arms, and legs. Lesions occasionally form on the scalp, face, and ears.
-
Lesions
widespread.
-
Appears quickly, usually a few days after a strep
throat or other trigger, such as a cold, tonsillitis, chicken pox, skin injury,
or taking certain medications.
-
Can first appear as another form of psoriasis, such
as plaque psoriasis, and turn into guttate psoriasis.
Pustular Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis
occurs in less than 5% of people who develop psoriasis and primarily occurs in
adults. It may be the first sign of psoriasis or develop from plaque psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis can be triggered by infections, sunburn, or medications such
as lithium and systemic cortisones. There are two forms of pustular psoriasis:
localized and generalized.
How to recognize localized pustular psoriasis:
-
Psoriasis confined to certain areas (localized),
usually the palms and soles. This is known as almoplantar psoriasis.?/font>
-
Skin
red, swollen, and dotted with pus-filled lesions.
-
Pus-filled lesions dry, leaving behind brown dots
and/or scale.
-
Affected areas tender and sore. Using hands or walking
often painful.
 |
These patients have
localized pustular psoriasis on their feet. Notice the numerous pustules.
|
(Photo used with permission of Mark Lebwohl, MD. Photo originally published in
his book, The Skin & Systemic Disease: A Color Atlas and Text by Mark
Lebwohl, MD. Published by Churchill Livingston, 2004. ) |
(Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library
of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)
|
Generalized
pustular psoriasis is a rare and severe form of psoriasis that can be life-threatening, especially
for older adults. Hospitalization may be required. Generalized pustular psoriasis
may be triggered by an infection such as strep throat, suddenly stopping steroids,
pregnancy, and taking certain medications such as lithium or systemic cortisone.
|
This
patient suffers from generalized pustular psoriasis.
(Photo used with permission of
Mark Lebwohl, MD. Photo originally published in his book, The Skin & Systemic
Disease: A Color Atlas and Text by Mark Lebwohl, MD. Published by Churchill
Livingston, 2004. ) |
How to recognize
generalized pustular psoriasis:
-
Widespread areas
of fiery-red swollen skin covered with small, white, pus-filled blisters
-
Person
feels exhausted and ill
-
Fever
-
Chills
-
Severe itching
-
Rapid
pulse rate
-
Loss of appetite
-
Muscle
weakness
-
Anemia
Inverse Psoriasis
Not common, inverse psoriasis also is called kin-fold,? lexural,?or enital?psoriasis.
This type of psoriasis can be severe and incapacitating.
 |
Inverse psoriasis occurs
only in skin folds, which also are called lexures.?Due to the moist environment,
these lesions tend not to form scale.
(Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library
of Dermatologic Teaching Slides) |
How to recognize
inverse psoriasis:
-
Red and inflamed
plaques that only occur in skin folds ?armpits, in the genital area, between the
buttocks, and under the breasts.
-
Scale usually does
not form, and the lesions are shiny and smooth.
-
Skin
very tender.
-
Lesion easily irritated,
especially by rubbing and perspiration.
-
More prevalent in
people who are overweight.
-
Many people have
another type of psoriasis elsewhere on the body.
Erythrodermic
Psoriasis
Also known as xfoliative?psoriasis, this is the least common
type. It occurs in about 1% or 2% of people who develop psoriasis. Erythrodermic
psoriasis can be life-threatening because the skin loses its protective functions.
The skin may not be able to safeguard against heat and fluid loss nor prevent
harmful bacteria and other substances from entering the body. Patients are usually
hospitalized and given intravenous fluids. Body temperature regulation may be
required.
Erythrodermic psoriasis may occur suddenly in
a person who has never had psoriasis or evolve from plaque psoriasis. Triggers
include infection, emotional stress, alcoholism, and certain medications such
as lithium, anti-malarial drugs, and a strong coal tar preparation. It also may
be triggered by excessive use of potent corticosteroids, which is why it is important
to use corticosteroids as instructed. Suddenly stopping a psoriasis medication,
such as cyclosporine or methotrexate, also can trigger erythrodermic psoriasis.
How to recognize erythrodermic psoriasis:
-
Severe redness and
shedding of the skin that covers a large portion of the body.
-
Skin
looks as if it has been burned.
-
Fluctuating body
temperature, especially on very hot or cold days.
-
Accelerated heart rate due to increased blood flow to the skin ?can complicate
heart disease and cause heart failure.
-
Severe itching and
pain.
An educational program brought to you by
the American Academy of Dermatology.
This
information sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from
Amgen / Wyeth |
|
Knowledge |
About 50% of people who have psoriasis see changes to their fingernails and toenails. |
|
|
| Knowledge |
Type
of Psoriasis Can Change
While most people develop one type of psoriasis and
have flare-ups and clearings from that type for life, this is not always the case.
It is possible to:
-
Experience only one outbreak.
A child can experience one outbreak of guttate psoriasis and never have another
psoriasis outbreak.
-
See two types of psoriasis at the same time.
A person with plaque psoriasis can develop a second type of psoriasis. Pustules
could develop within or around the plaques. If this occurs, the person has both
plaque psoriasis and pustular psoriasis.
-
Have psoriasis that begins as one type and
transforms into another type. Plaque psoriasis
can develop into guttate or erythrodermic psoriasis. Abruptly stopping a psoriasis
medication, such as cyclosporine or methotrexate, is one such trigger that may
cause this transformation.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Our Solutions
What's New?
Authentication
News