What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells. This buildup of cells causes scaling on your skin’s surface.
Inflammation and redness around the scales are fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop thick, red patches. However, on darker skin tones, they can also appear more purplish, dark brown with gray scales. Sometimes, these patches will crack and bleed.
Psoriasis is the result of a sped-up skin production process. Typically, skin cells grow deep in your skin and slowly rise to the surface. Eventually, they fall off. The typical life cycle of a skin cell is 1 month.
In people with psoriasis, this production process may occur in just a few days. Because of this, skin cells don’t have time to fall off. This rapid overproduction leads to the buildup of skin cells.

Scales typically develop on joints, such as elbows and knees. However, they may develop anywhere on your body, including the:

• hands
• feet
• neck
• scalp
• face

Less common types of psoriasis affect the:

• nails
• mouth
• area around the genitals

What are the different types of psoriasis?

There are five types of psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates that about 80 to 90 percent of people with the condition have plaque psoriasis. It causes red, inflamed patches on light skin tones and purple or grayish color or darker brown patches on the skin of color — making it harder to diagnose in people of color.
These patches are often covered with whitish-silver scales or plaques and are often more severe on the skin of color trusted source. These plaques are commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

Guttate psoriasis:Guttate psoriasis commonly occurs in childhood. This type of psoriasis causes small pink or violet spots. The most common sites for guttate psoriasis include your torso, arms, and legs. These spots are rarely thick or raised like plaque psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis:Pustular psoriasis is more common in adults. It causes white, pus-filled blisters and broad areas of red or violet —depending on skin tone — inflamed skin. It can appear as a more intense violet color on darker skin tones. Pustular psoriasis is typically localized to smaller areas of your body, such as the hands or feet, but it can be widespread.

Inverse psoriasis:Inverse psoriasis causes bright areas of red, shiny, inflamed skin. Patches of inverse psoriasis develop under your armpits or breasts, in your groin, or around skinfolds in your genitals.

Erythrodermic psoriasis:Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe and very rare type of psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
This form often covers large sections of your body at once. The skin almost appears sunburned. Scales that develop often slough off in large sections or sheets. It’s not uncommon for you to run a fever or become very ill with this form of psoriasis.
This type can be life-threatening, so it’s important that you make an appointment with a healthcare professional immediately.

What are the symptoms?

Psoriasis symptoms differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis you have. Areas of psoriasis can be as small as a few flakes on your scalp or elbow or cover the majority of your body.

The most common symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

• raised, inflamed patches of skin that appear red on light skin and brown or purple on dark skin
• whitish-silver scales or plaques on the red patches or gray scales on purple and brown patches
• dry skin that may crack and bleed
• soreness around patches
• itching and burning sensations around patches
• thick, pitted nails
• painful, swollen joints

Not every person will experience all these symptoms. Some people will experience entirely different symptoms if they have a less common type of psoriasis.
Most people with psoriasis go through “cycles” of symptoms. The condition may cause severe symptoms for a few days or weeks, and then the symptoms may clear up and be almost unnoticeable. Then, in a few weeks or if made worse by a common psoriasis trigger, the condition may flare up again. Sometimes, symptoms of psoriasis disappear completely.

Most people who develop psoriatic arthritis have psoriasis. However, it’s possible to develop the joint condition without having a psoriasis diagnosis. Most people who receive an arthritis diagnosis without having psoriasis have a family member who has a skin condition.
Treatments for psoriatic arthritis may successfully ease symptoms, relieve pain, and improve joint mobility. As with psoriasis, losing any excess weight, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding triggers may also help reduce psoriatic arthritis flare-ups.
An early diagnosis and treatment plan designed for your specific situation can help reduce the likelihood of severe complications, including joint damage.