Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by thickened patches of inflamed, red skin covered with thick, silvery scales. There are several types of psoriasis that may affect different areas of the body as well as produce varying symptoms among individuals. It is a non-contagious disease and affects both the skin and joints.  According to the National Institute of health, approximately 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.

Although psoriasis may be almost unnoticeable in its early stages, patients often report an itching and/or burning sensation as the disease progresses. This disease has many different symptoms. The symptoms may be small flattened bumps, large thick plaques of raised skin, red patches, and pink mildly dry skin to big flakes of dry skin that flake off.

There are various forms of psoriasis and each of it has different symptoms associated with them. Below are some of them:

1. The most common form of psoriasis causes dry, raised, red skin lesions (plaques) covered with silvery scales. The plaques itch or may be painful and can occur anywhere on your body, including your genitals and the soft tissue inside your mouth. This form of psoriasis is also known as plaque psoriasis.

1. Scalp psoriasis will affect the scalp making it appear as red, itchy area with silvery-white scales. You may even notice flakes of dead skin in your hair or on your shoulders, especially after scratching your scalp.
2. Guttate psoriasis is another form of psoriasis which affects the young people, usually below 30 years of age. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Generally, guttate psoriasis occurs after a streptococcal or viral infection.
3. Psoriatic arthritis causes pitted, discolored nails and swollen or stiff joints which are denote arthritis. It can also lead to inflammatory eye conditions such as conjunctivitis. Symptoms range from mild to severe.
4. Pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis in which widespread patches develop on the hands. Pustular psoriasis can occur in smaller areas or involve most of the body with innumerable tiny white pustules.
5. Eythrodermic Psoriasis is characterized by the entire body bright red and scaly. It can cause the entire body to be covered with red peeling rash. This form of psoriasis is the least common. It causes redness over larger areas.
6. Inverse psoriasis occurs in the armpit, under the breast, skin folds, around the groin, in the cleft between the buttocks and around the genitals. It is usually pink in color and doesn’t have the thick scale seen in other forms of psoriasis.

Well, above are some of the common symptoms associated with this disease. One should be aware of the symptoms so that the disease can be detected in the early stages and fast treatment can be carried out!