Psoriasis Information
Symptoms
Types of Psoriasis
There are several different types of psoriasis. About 90% of all cases of psoriasis are plaque psoriasis, but other varieties include:
Guttate psoriasis. This form of psoriasis usually affects children, teenagers, and young adults. It often appears after a bacterial infection, such as strep throat. Its typical symptoms are red, scaly, raindrop-shaped spots on the skin, usually over the abdomen, arms, legs, and scalp. It can often clear up on its own without treatment.
Pustular psoriasis. The typical symptoms of pustular psoriasis are pus-filled blisters on the skin. The blisters usually dry up, turn brown, become scaly, and peel off. The lesions usually occur on the hands and feet and are primarily seen in adults.
Erythrodermic psoriasis. Symptoms include fierce red and scaly skin over large areas of the body. This condition can evolve from other forms of psoriasis or be triggered by psoriasis treatment. It can also be triggered by withdrawal from drugs such as corticosteroids (often taken for diseases such as asthma).
Inverse psoriasis. In people with this condition, scaly and bright red patches appear in folds of skin, for instance under the breasts, in the armpits, or on the genitals. This type of psoriasis can be exacerbated by obesity.
Progression of Psoriasis
Psoriasis doesn't have any set way of progressing. It develops differently depending on the person. Some people may only have occasional and minor symptoms for their entire lives. Others may have to cope with severe symptoms on a regular basis.
In most people, the symptoms come and go. Flare-ups might be brought on by some conditions like dry weather or stress.
Untreated, extremely severe psoriasis can be dangerous. Although it happens very rarely, if lesions cover enough of the body, the immune system can become overwhelmed. Be sure to see your doctor immediately if your psoriasis spreads to cover large parts of your body or if you show signs of infection, such as fever.
Coping with psoriasis can be exhausting and frustrating. It's important to try to stay emotionally and physically healthy during treatment.
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