Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that currently has no definite known cause or cure. It is often characterized by large or small patches of skin that may be red, raised, and flaky. These patches may be itchy or painful. Specific symptoms may vary depending on what type of psoriasis a person has. There are 6 types of psoriasis. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, usually depending on environmental and/or other health factors. Cold temperature, dry climates, infections, stress, over-consumption of alcohol, and smoking are just some factors that could worsen psoriasis symptoms.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis currently, there are still plenty of treatments available to manage psoriasis symptoms. The treatment received may be dependent on what type of psoriasis a person has. As such, knowing what kind of psoriasis a person has is extremely important. Below are six different types of psoriasis and their characteristics.
Plaque Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. Most people with psoriasis may have some form of plaque psoriasis. It is typically characterized by the general symptoms of psoriasis: patches of skin that is red, raised, and/or flaky. These patches of skin are usually covered in a silver-white buildup of dead skin cells. Generally, plaque psoriasis affects the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
Guttate Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is often characterized by small patches of skin that is red and/or scale-like. These patches often look like a teardrop and can cover large areas of the skin. Guttate psoriasis typically affects the arms, legs, and torso. It can sometimes be linked to other health conditions or illnesses, like strep.
Inverse Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis has symptoms like red and shiny patches on the body. However, the patches are not what differentiates this kind of psoriasis from other kinds. Inverse psoriasis is characterized by these patches affecting only the inner folds of the body — places like armpits, around the genitals and/or buttocks, and/or under the breasts. This psoriasis usually strongly affect people who are overweight, as the symptoms of inverse psoriasis worsen when the skin rubs together or when there is too much sweating.
Pustular Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is one of the more rare types of psoriasis. It is characterized by red, raised skin that is filled with a thick and white fluid known as pus. Pus is made up of white blood cells. This is one of the most painful types of psoriasis. If a person has this type of psoriasis, there is a higher chance that they may be hospitalized when compared to people with any other types of psoriasis.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is the rarest type of psoriasis. It is characterized by red and almost inflamed skin that affects almost all areas of the body. It is more likely to be developed from unstable plaque psoriasis. Unstable plaque psoriasis is characterized by undefined lesions on the body.
Erythrodermic psoriasis can appear periodically and is often accompanied with severe itchiness, pain, and at times, swelling.
Nail Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis is often seen with other types of psoriasis. Additionally, people who have psoriatic arthritis, a complication that occurs when a person who has psoriasis develops arthritis or vice versa, is often also affected by nail psoriasis. As the name suggests, it affects the fingernails and toenails. It is characterized by small bumps on the nails, irregular contours on the nails, and/or nails that appear thicker than usual.
Featured Image: Depositphotos/© Hriana