Psoriasis is a common skin condition that manifests with pink-red elevated plaques on the skin and can be covered with thick silver-white scale. About 2% of the world population is affected by psoriasis and it is believe that many people are genetically predisposed to developing this disease. That means psoriasis will often run in families with children being affected if their parents or relatives have it. Psoriasis skin lesions can occur on a number of different areas of the skin, including the scalp, trunk, elbows and knees, hands and feet as well as the groin. Here are the top 5 patterns of psoriasis seen on the skin:
- Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque psoriasis): This is the most common form of this skin condition where well-circumscribed salmon-pink scaly plaques develop over the elbows and knees, scalp, lower back and others. The involved skin can be itchy and sometimes painful, especially if they crack and fissure.
- Pustular psoriasis: In this type of psoriasis, pus-filled blisters develop within or around the edges of the red psoriatic skin plaques and lesions. Pustular psoriasis is most common in adults. Although many patients worry about an infection, these pustules simply contain collections of the body’s white blood cells, without any harmful bacteria or other infectious microorganisms. In severe cases, the psoriasis lesions can cover most of the body.
- Guttate psoriasis: Guttate means drops and in this form of psoriasis, the small skin lesions often appear like drops of rain on the body and extremities. Guttate psoriasis is the second most common type of psoriasis and can affect teens and young adults.
- Inverse psoriasis: Not scaly like its counterparts, this type of psoriasis affects the skin in the folds, such as the groin, armpits (axillae), or under the breasts (inframammary area). The skin lesions are often shiny and smooth, although patients with this type of psoriasis often have other types of psoriasis in different areas.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is a very rare but dangerous form of psoriasis. Patients develop diffuse red and scaly skin all over their body. The intense inflammation associated with this type of psoriasis can cause itching and severe pain and discomfort.
If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis and would like more information, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists, please contact us today.
About the Author:
Dr. Adam Mamelak is a board certified-dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon. Dr. Mamelak has authored over 50 peer-reviewed medical articles on dermatologic diseases, skin cancer, skin surgery and psoriasis. Dr. Mamelak is one of the founding physicians of Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
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