These are the five types of psoriasis and their symptoms. A person may have more than one.
Psoriasis |
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This is the most common type. Problems may be:
- Red, raised skin patches (plaques) topped by silvery-white scales that shed
- Patches that often are on both sides of the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks, or lower back
- Patches that join to form large areas on the back and chest
- On a few areas or on the entire body
- Painful and cracking skin, often on the hands, fingers, and bottoms of the feet
- Itchy skin
Some people may also have nail problems, such as:
- Pitting
- A yellow-red nail bed
- Build up under the nail
- Nails that pull away from the skin
This type results in small, red dots on the torso, arms, or legs.
This type results in pus-filled blisters and red skin. It can happen on the hands and feet with or without patches. There is also a form that can cover most of the body. The blisters appear, dry, and then peel over several days. A person may also have a fever.
This type results in:
- Smooth, pink or red, mostly dry patches without scales
- A rash that may be painful and get worse with friction and sweating
This is a rare, severe type that needs to be treated right away. It results in:
- Red, swollen, scaly skin over most of the body
- Scales that peel off in large pieces
- Painful, itchy skin
References
Psoriasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/psoriasis. Accessed March 25, 2022.
Psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin diseases. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriasis. Accessed March 25, 2022.
Psoriasis resource center. American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis. Accessed March 25, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 03/29/2022