Psoriasis Treatment and Facts

Plaque Psoriasis consists of patches of red skin, broad and slightly raised, that have silvery-white flakes called scales.  It often affects elbows, knees, scalp, or lower back. Affected areas may crack, bleed, ache, or itch. However, the more you scratch, the thicker they can get. You can develop Plaque Psoriasis at any age, but it is most common in adults.

Scalp Psoriasis is a type of Psoriasis that may appear like dandruff, but it’s not the same.  Scalp Psoriasis flakes are powdery and silver or white. Nearly half of people with Psoriasis have Scalp Psoriasis.

Kids and young adults are more likely to get Guttate Psoriasis, presenting as small red dots with raised edges. It can appear suddenly in the midsection or onother common sites like arms, legs, scalp, ears, and face. Triggers for Guttate Psoriasis include strep throat, the flu, colds, and other upper respiratory infections.

Inverse Psoriasis consists of very sore patches of shiny, bright red skin without the often-accompanying silver scales. Inverse Psoriasis only appears where skin contacts skin, like in the armpits, behind the knees, under the breasts or belly fat, genitals, and buttocks. Rubbing (chafing) and sweating can make the condition worse.

This rare type appears as red, swollen patches of skin with pus-filled bumps and may be your body reacting to infections, stress, medications, or contact with certain chemicals. When these bumps dry out, they turn yellow-brown and scaly. Pustular Psoriasis usually shows up on the palms of your hands or bottoms of your feet. The blisters themselves may break open, leaving the skin underneath cracked and raw. Seek professional help immediately if the bumps spread and are met with other symptoms like severe itching, fever, muscle weakness, and/or chills.

This form of Psoriasis causes large areas of the skin to turn bright red, like a really bad sunburn, and fall off your body. It’s rare, but includes symptoms like extreme itchiness, pain, a racing heartbeat, and feeling very cold or hot. Erythrodermic Psoriasis can be life threatening, so seek medical attention if you suspect that you have this type of Psoriasis.

Nearly half of the people with Psoriasis have skin cells build up under their nails, which then becomes thick, often splitting or cracking. The nail may even crumble or fall off in harsher cases. Signs of Nail Psoriasis include brownish red or yellow spots under the nail, or tiny dents along the surface.

When arthritic symptoms like joint pain, stiffness, and swelling show up along with Psoriasis, it’s called Psoriatic Arthritis or Psoriatic disease. If you are suffering from both symptoms of Psoriasis and arthritis, be sure to seek your doctor’s advice.