Psoriasis – Symptoms

The body normally sheds dead skin cells, however in psoriasis the replacement process is accelerated resulting in an accumulation of live and dead cells on the skins surface. This shows up as red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body but usually shows up on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back.

Psoriasis can also result in intense itching and burning which can be difficult not to scratch.

There are four main types of psoriasis:

Plaques Psoriasis

• Areas of thickened red skin with sliver scales ranging in diameter from 2.5cm to 7.5cm. Plaques usually affect the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

Plaques Psoriasis

• These plaques may become itchy or irritated.

• Nails may become discoloured and pitted and in severe cases may become thick and lift away from the nail bed.

• Plaques usually last for weeks or months and may return intermittently.

Guttate Psoriasis

• Mainly affects children or adolescents and often following a bacterial throat infection.

Guttate Psoriasis

• Small circular shaped patched of pink scaly skin around 1cm in dimatere appear across the back and the chest.

• These are often itchy and irritated

• Symptoms usually disappear in about 4 to 6 months and do not recur. Many people affected will develop other types of psoriasis later.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular Psoriasis

• Small blisters filled with pus appear on the hands or soles of the feet

• There are areas or red, inflamed and very tender skin

• There may be some thickening and scaling of the inflamed areas.

Inverse Psoriasis

• Usually affects elderly people. 

Inverse Psoriasis

• Large, moist red areas develop in skin folds as opposed to other body parts usually affected.

• The rash usually affects the groin, skin under the breasts and sometimes the armpits. Inverse Psoriasis usually clears up with treatment but may recur.

Psoriatic arthritis

• involves joint and connective tissue inflammation.

• About 1 in 10 people with psoriasis will develop a form of arthritis that usually affects the fingers, toes and knee joint, hips and spine. 

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