Types of Psoriasis

There are five different types of psoriasis. The one thing they all have in common is the fact that they all cause some degree of pain and itching, and in severe cases, the skin may become cracked and even bleed. If you have psoriasis, it's a good idea to become familiar with all of the different types as one type will sometimes evolve into another and some are more serious than others.

Plaque Psoriasis

Sometimes referred to as "psoriasis vulgaris" or "plaque-type psoriasis," plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease. As many as 80% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.

Symptoms include reddish patches of skin covered by thick, silvery or powdery-white, flaking scales. Plaque psoriasis tends to appear on the elbows, knees, chest, back and scalp , but it can affect the whole body, even the genitals and nails. The skin usually feels dry and sore and there may be burning and itching.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis, also called "exfoliative psoriasis," only appears in 1-2% of psoriasis cases. This type of psoriasis requires immediate medical attention because it often affects a large portion of the body.

Symptoms include painfully red skin that peels and sheds. The skin can look burnt and there may be extreme pain and itching.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis appears most often in children and teenagers and is responsible for 10% of psoriasis cases, making it the second most common type of psoriasis.

Symptoms include small, drop-like red dots that pop up on the arms, legs and trunk. Guttate psoriasis is fairly easy to differentiate from plaque psoriasis because the spots caused by the guttate type are much smaller. This skin disorder tends to appear suddenly, usually during an infection like strep throat or even as a reaction to taking some medications.

Inverse Psoriasis

Also referred to as "flexural," "genital," or "skin-fold" psoriasis, inverse psoriasis is uncommon and looks different from other forms because thick scales don't develop. Instead, red, shiny and smooth-looking areas appear in the folds of skin, usually the armpits, around the genitals, and between the buttocks. The skin can be very sore and easily irritated by clothing rubbing against it.

Pustular Psoriasis

There are three types of pustular psoriasis:

Acropustulosis - appears as lesions on the ends of fingers and toes and may cause nail deformities. This type of pustular psoriasis is usually brought on by an injury or an infection. It is very rare.

Palmo-plantar Pustulosis - appears as pustules on the palms and bottoms of the feet. May be caused by a reaction to nicotine. If you're at risk for pustular psoriasis, or any other form for that matter, quitting smoking may greatly reduce the likelihood of a flare-up.

Von Zumbusch - usually appears suddenly, with large areas of skin becoming red and painful. Pustules appear within a few hours of the onset of symptoms and dry up and peel over the next day or two. This form is often brought on by an infection or as a reaction to certain medications. Immediate medical attention is necessary.

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