Plaque Psoriasis

Though there is no substitute for a diagnosis from a dermatologist, psoriasis pictures can be useful to help determine if you have psoriasis. Psoriasis can sometimes be confused with eczema, another skin condition with symptoms of red or scaly skin rashes. Sometimes the location of the rashes can help determine whether one has psoriasis or eczema; for example, psoriasis is more likely to occur on the backs of elbows and fronts of knees (extensor surfaces) and eczema more likely to occur on the fronts of elbows and backs of knees (flexor surfaces). Psoriasis is also very commonly found on scalp or on the back and is often accompanied by a pitting of the nails, something which is not usually associated with eczema. Additionally, a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis may develop in anywhere from 5%-30% of individuals who have psoriasis. All of the above known factors helps doctors make a diagnosis of psoriasis.

There are different kinds of psoriasis, but by far the most common is called plaque psoriasis, which occurs in 80-90% of the cases of psoriasis. Plague psoriasis lesions usually involve red patches of skin, covered by scaly dry white plaques. They are most commonly found on the knees and elbows, as well as the scalp (see scalp psoriasis) and back, but can occur anywhere. Plaque psoriasis is definitely not contagious and is considered an inheritable condition, though environmental conditions such as diet and stress also play a large role in its appearance. It typically first appears in one’s 20’s, and though the condition can increase and decrease in severity throughout the course of one’s lifetime, it is considered chronic, and though many people do find relief and success from a variety of effective treatments (see psoriasis treatments), no single treatment can yet be truly considered a “cure-all” for psoriasis.

There are other kinds of psoriasis, though they are much less common than plaque psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis is more a more rare form of psoriasis, and will commonly follow a streptococcal infection, though it can also follow a chickenpox infection or a cold. Guttate psoriasis lesions are typically small, red, and round or drop shaped:

Guttate Psoriasis

Three other more rare kinds (affecting less than 10% of persons with psoriasis) of psoriasis are pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and eythrodermic psoriasis.

1. Pustular psoriasis involves raised bumps that are filled with pus:

Pustular Psoriasis

2. Inverse psoriasis is typcially found in skin folds and appears as smooth shiny lesions:

Inverse Psoriasis

3. Erythrodermic psoriasis, though rare, can be quite dangerous and painful. It can cover a wide area of the skin, has a fiery appearance, and should be treated by medical professionals immediately:

Erythrodermic Psoriasis