Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that occurs when your immune system attacks healthy skin. In response to this attack, your body starts making new skin — but the new skin multiplies so fast that your old skin cells never shed. Ultimately, that leaves you with skin cell build-up that typically appears as thickened patches of flaky skin. 

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

There are five main types of psoriasis, with each causing a different type of rash: 

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis, which affects 80-90% of people with psoriasis, features plaques, patches of thickened skin, which typically have silvery-white scales. Plaques usually appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back. Plaques are usually quite itchy, and they may burn or sting. Some people experience tight-feeling or even painful skin with plaque psoriasis. 

Guttate psoriasis 

Guttate psoriasis, which affects 8% of people who have psoriasis, causes small red spots. A strep infection is a common cause. Guttate psoriasis usually develops on the torso and limbs. 

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis affects about 3% of people with psoriasis. The main symptom is pustules — pus-filled bumps that usually appear on the hands and feet but may appear anywhere. Pustular psoriasis looks like acne but has different causes. 

Inverse psoriasis 

Inverse psoriasis causes a very red rash in skin folds, such as underarms, genitals, backs of knees, and underneath the breasts in women. Usually, when you have inverse psoriasis, you also have another kind of psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is quite rare, occurring in 2% of people who have psoriasis. This form of psoriasis causes very serious symptoms, including the shedding of skin in sheets and severe itchiness. An erythrodermic psoriasis flare-up can potentially be fatal, so it requires immediate care.

Up to 42% of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.  

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

The Dorset Street Dermatology team carefully checks your skin, scalp, and nails. They may take a skin scraping or perform a skin patch test to rule out other similar-looking conditions, including eczema and contact dermatitis. 

How is psoriasis treated?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition. Because there's no cure, managing your condition effectively is extremely important. The Dorset Street Dermatology team can create a psoriasis management plan for you. Your treatment may include topical creams, laser services, oral medication, or injected medication. 

Good skin care is also very helpful in psoriasis management. Skinceuticals® and Obagi® make medical-grade products that can help you care for your skin.

For psoriasis help, call Dorset Street Dermatology or click on the online appointment maker now.