The 8 Types of Psoriasis

  • October 6, 2021
  • Psoriasis

The 8 Types of Psoriasis

The 8 types of Psoriasis

 

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition causing unsightly rashes, and red patches. Fortunately, psoriasis is not an itchy condition, but people with the condition, often complain about its effect on their self-confidence.

Psoriasis is normally triggered by any of the following:

Stress, scars, medication, infections, diet, allergies, and even the weather.

Developing a treatment plan for psoriasis, generally starts with a diagnosis of the type of psoriasis, and there are eight main types.

 

Plaque Psoriasis

 

Plaque Psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common type, and causes raised, and inflamed red skin, covered in white scales. Plaque psoriasis is normally found on your elbows, knees, scalp or lower back, but can be found elsewhere on the body too.

Treating plaque psoriasis normally starts with a topical treatment. Prescription medication can slow down the cell growth, and ease the inflammation. More severe cases can be treated using phototherapy (ultraviolet light), or with targeted systemic medications.

 

Scalp Psoriasis

 

Scalp psoriasis is red, itchy, and scaly, and is normally first spotted as flakes of dead skin on the scalp.

Medicated shampoo can help, and scalp psoriasis can be treated with topical treatment, or in severe cases, with phototherapy.

 

Guttate Psoriasis

 

Guttate psoriasis is a fairly rare form of psoriasis, and generally affects children or adolescents. Guttate psoriasis presents itself with red spots on the skin, and is normally found on the torso, the upper arms, thighs, and scalp.

Guttate psoriasis normally comes and goes to its own accord, but when it persists, then it will require treatment.

 

Inverse Psoriasis

 

Inverse psoriasis (seborrheic psoriasis) is bright red patches that is normally caused by friction, sweating, and fungal infections.

Inverse psoriasis is normally found in the armpits, groin area, under the breasts, and in skin folds around the genital and buttock areas.

 

Pustular Psoriasis

 

Pustular psoriasis affects mostly adults, and manifest itself as pus-filled pimples on your hands or feet.

Pustular psoriasis can be caused by an array of triggers, including pregnancy, infection, stress or exposure to chemicals. It can also be caused by ending prescription medication.

There is an extreme form of pustular psoriasis, called generalised pustular psoriasis, and this form demands immediate medical attention, causing fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness, and an increased heart rate.

 

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

 

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the least common form of psoriasis, but one of the most serious. It covers most of the skin in a red rash that looks like burnt skin.

Erythrodermic psoriasis causes severe itching, burning, and peeling. It increases your heart rate, and impacts your body temperature. If you are showing these symptoms, you need to see a doctor immediately.

Erythrodermic psoriasis can be triggered by a reaction to medication, suddenly stopping psoriasis medication, sunburn, and an infection.

 

Nail Psoriasis

 

Most people with psoriasis will see some effect in their nails, and nail psoriasis is even more common with people suffering from psoriatic arthritis.

Signs that you have nail psoriasis include pitting of the fingernails, tenderness, nail separation, colour changes, and a powdery substance under the nails.

 

Psoriatic Arthritis

 

As the name suggest, psoriatic arthritis is a condition where you have both arthritis and psoriasis.

Symptoms include stiff joints, swelling of the fingers and toes, and discolouring of the joints.

Fortunately, all types of psoriasis are treatable, and not contagious. Your doctor is likely to recommend over-the-counter remedies to treat your psoriasis, and in more severe cases, they might recommend phototherapy, topical or systemic therapies.

If the psoriasis persist, then you can request a referral to Cairns Dermatology, and Dr Tucker can create a bespoke treatment plan.

 

 

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