Signs & Symptoms

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which skin cells replicate at an extremely rapid rate. 

New skin cells are produced about eight times faster than normal--over several days instead of 

a month--but the rate at which old cells slough off is unchanged. This causes cells to build up 

on the skin's surface, forming thick patches, or plaques, of red sores (lesions) covered with flaky, 

silvery-white dead skin cells (scales).

Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales

•Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)

• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed

• Itching, burning or soreness

• Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

• Swollen and stiff joints

Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. Mild cases of psoriasis may be a nuisance; more-severe cases can be painful, disfiguring and disabling.

Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a time or even going into complete remission. In most cases, however, the disease eventually returns.  

Several types of psoriasis exist. These include :

PLAQUE PSORIASIS 

• Scaly, flaking plaques.

• Extensive areas of skin may be affected.

• Soreness and inflammation may develop when plaques are exposed to trauma, e.g. elbows, knees.

• May become thick and chronic with silvery scales, particularly affecting extensor surfaces.

GUTTATE

• Frequently occurring after streptococcal throat infection

• May affect a large surface area

(Seborrhoeic dermatitis tends to be more diffuse, and widespread eczema is usually itchier, with less discrete margins to individual lesions. It is also more likely to involve the flexures).

FLEXURAL, GENITAL & PERINEAL 

• Often devoid of scale and has uniform red glaze appearance.

• Particularly vulnerable areas are arms, toes, stomach, and in sweaty areas.

 (Eczema and fungal infections tend to be scalier with the latter having a more active edge).

SCALP 

• Highly visible scaling.

• Often a discrete edge to individual plaques, and around the hair margin.

FACIAL EARS AND NECK 

• Psoriasis in these sites alone is uncommon in the absence of chronic plaque psoriasis

• Discrete plaques are often apparent.

PALMAR & PLANTAR 

• Dryness, fissuring and lichenification are common.

• Painful fissures may cause stress in working conditions.

INFLAMES/ ACUTE 

• Discrete inflamed plaques particularly affecting extensor surfaces.

PUSTULAR 

• Probable overzealous treatment with potent steroid products.

• Which leads to extra white blood cells (pus) which and cover the whole body.

PSORIATIC ARTHITIS 

• Psoriasis leading to inflammation in the joints

• Usually involves the end parts of the fingers

• Various kinds, such as symmetrical, spinal, oligoarthritis, distal and arthritis mutilans