Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body. However, the most common sites in symptoms of psoriasis are:
Scalp
Face (Eyebrows, area between nose and lips, upper forehead & hairline, around mouth & jaw line)
Hands, feet and nails (Nail changes are known to occur in almost 50 percent of people with psoriasis)
Genitals
skin folds (such as armpits and breasts)
Common Types:
Plaque Psoriasis:
It is the most common type, affecting 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis.
Patches like plaques, show up on the scalp, back, elbows, and knees in a symmetrical pattern on the right and left sides of the body. For example, both elbows and both knees would have plaques about the same size.
Guttate Psoriasis:
Symptoms of Psoriasis of guttate type affects up to 10% of people with psoriasis.
It usually appears on the chest and back as small red spots.
It tends to develop suddenly, and in many cases, after an infection such as strep throat.
Pustular Psoriasis:
This less-common type of psoriasis can be severe and, in rare cases, life-threatening.
There can be associated fever, chills, severe itching, pain, rapid pulse, exhaustion, muscle weakness, and changes in body temperature.
Inverse Psoriasis:
It affects areas of the body that are usually hidden from view: armpits, genitals, the underside of breasts, and between buttocks.
This type is likely to be wrongly diagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis:
It appears as red, painful and itchy skin over most of the body. The skin peels off in large sheets, rather than flaking off.
The person with usually have a faster heart beat and fluctuating body temperature along with other symptoms of Psoriasis.
This uncommon but potentially dangerous type of psoriasis can be caused by suddenly stopping a psoriasis medication, sunburn, infection, or a drug reaction.
Major Symptoms of Psoriasis
Symptoms of Psoriasis for each type may vary, but the major symptoms are:
Raised, bright red patches of skin often covered with loose, silvery scales.
Tiny areas of bleeding when skin scales are picked or scraped off (Auspitz's sign).
Mild scaling to thick, crusted plaques on the scalp.
Itching, especially during sudden flare-ups or when the psoriasis patches are in body folds.
Discolored or pitted nails with accompanying symptoms of Psoriasis.
Joints swelling, tenderness, and pain (psoriatic arthritis).
Psoriasis patches occurring after an injury such as a cut, a burn, or too much sun. This is called Koebner's phenomenon. Therefore, it is important for people with symptoms of Psoriasis to avoid irritating or injuring their skin.
