Types of Psoriasis

Knowing the type of psoriasis you have is the first step to combating and keeping this skin condition under control. All types of psoriasis affect the skin. They may affect it differently from one type to another but there is always some form of skin reaction.

a. Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is found in about 90% of psoriasis cases and is the most common type of psoriasis. While plaque psoriasis may vary from one person to another, it is usually evidenced by thick patches skin that is flaky and is usually itchy or inflamed. These patches found in plaque psoriasis may be circular in shape or oval.

b. Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis usually affects young adults or children. A flare-up of guttate psoriasis usually results from a bacterial infection. A common bacterial infection that may lead to guttate psoriasis is strep throat. Guttate psoriasis features red or pinkish bumps on the skin that may be tiny and may be misdiagnosed as simply a rash.

c. Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is less common than other types of psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis features bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

d. Inverse Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis produces patches that are flat, smooth and red. These patches are usually not covered by any scales are usually common to areas of folded skin such as the buttocks and breast areas.

e. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis can be very serious although the good news is that it is the least common type of psoriasis. This type of psoriasis can strain the heart when an area of the skin experiences increased inflammation which itches and burns in addition to becoming red and includes a rash that peels. The increased blood flow related to this type is what strains the heart.

f. Psoriatic Arthritis

There seems to be some relationship between psoriasis and arthritis. This type of psoriasis simply means that the sufferer suffers from both psoriasis and arthritis.

g. Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is also known as seborrheic psoriasis and as mentioned previously, it may look like a severe case of dandruff and can be quite unsightly. Scalp psoriasis produces plaque areas that are very badly or skin that is scaly and dry.