Psoriasis Types

Overview

There are seven different kinds of psoriasis. These types are classified based on where the affected areas are located. The types of psoriasis can produce a variety of symptoms that range in severity and duration. None of the types of psoriasis are contagious, and almost all are chronic conditions.

A person can experience one or multiple different types of psoriasis. A flare-up could involve one or multiple types at a time in one or multiple areas of the body. Doctors may need to treat each area of the body differently depending on the severity of the symptoms.

No lab or blood test can conclusively identify psoriasis. Usually, the primary care physician or dermatologist will diagnose the condition based on visual examination, alone. The doctor might perform a skin biopsy or examine a piece of dry skin under a microscope. If a white flake of skin is pulled and a blood droplet appears, then you might have psoriasis.

No types of psoriasis are contagious, and almost all are chronic conditions. If you experience symptoms of psoriasis once, you should be prepared to experience the symptoms again, regardless of the condition type. Otherwise, you may have been misdiagnosed.

Instances of arthritis are higher among populations of people with psoriasis than with people who do not have psoriasis. Many patients with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, a condition that can cause joint pain for people of all ages. Typically, the skin disorder will precede the arthritis. The arthritic pain will begin in the toenails or fingernails and then spread to affect the other joints in the body.

All types of psoriasis are more dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.

Plaque psoriasis causes thick, flaky patches of skin on the body. The skin will turn red and become covered with whitish-silver scales. Inflammation will range from mild to severe. The patches may be circular or oval in shape.

Guttate psoriasis causes small red bumps to appear on the skin, usually after an illness. This type of psoriasis is more common among children than adults. The lesions are typically shaped in the form of a teardrop and appear all over the body. These patches cause itching and appear red in color. This type of psoriasis can range from mild to severe. Some people may require medications to suppress the immune system.

Seborrheic psoriasis & palmoplantar psoriasis affect certain skin areas. Seborrheic psoriasis affects the scalp or nails and palmoplantar psoriasis causes patches of flaking and cracking skin on the palms and soles of the feet.

Erythroderma psoriasis causes thick, red, and inflamed patches that cover most of the skin. This type of psoriasis is considered a medical emergency since most of the skin surface is covered with severe inflammation. Most people need to be hospitalized when experiencing an outbreak since the condition is life threatening, especially for older adults. With this type of psoriasis, the skin becomes covered with scales and patches that are red-hot. The skin will then begin to shed. One major complication is that this type of psoriasis will cause the body to have difficulty regulating temperature.

Pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that causes deep blisters on the skin. This type of the disease is often severe and requires hospitalization because it can affect the organs. People with pustular psoriasis may have trouble regulating body temperature.

Skin Fold Psoriasis is also known as genital psoriasis, a condition that affects skin sites such as the underarms, groin, and genitals. Skin fold psoriasis is frequently mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease.

Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails and toenails. Affected nails can become discolored, develop pits, become scratched, or thicken. The nail might also become loose, fall off, or start crumbling. Other prevalent symptoms include severe itching and overwhelming pain. Mild psoriasis is more common than severe psoriasis.

No type of psoriasis is contagious. Although the disease can resemble a sexually transmitted disease or contagious infection, it cannot transfer between people, even with close contact. Some types of psoriasis may be more uncomfortable, painful, and severe than others. Even with people who experience recurring infections, the condition may vary in terms of severity. It is impossible to predict exactly how the condition affects people based on type.