Warning signs you should never ignore on your skin

Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition – it’s an autoimmune disorder that can manifest as scales, spots, or even crumbling nails. It is a condition that must be managed well.

There are five different types of this potentially painful disease and understanding exactly what you’re up against will help you manage it effectively. Remember, it is important to take care of your health.

If you would like to know more about psoriasis, then keep reading!

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, resulting in the rapid buildup of cells on the surface of the skin, forming scales, redness, and inflammation.

The Mayo Clinic describes psoriasis as “a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.” This is not a rare skin disease but a more common one.

More than 125 million people worldwide, and about 8 million in the U.S. live with the “common, long-term (chronic) disease” that “can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate.” The condition, after all, has an impact on your health

The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) identifies five types of skin disease, each that comes with a social and emotional toll due to its visible symptoms.

Plaque psoriasis
According to the NPF, this is the most common type of psoriasis, characterized by dry, itchy, raised patches of skin (plaques) covered with scales. These patches can vary in number and typically appear on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. The color of the plaques depends on skin tone and may heal with temporary discoloration, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin. Any type of irregularity warrants medical attention.

Key characteristics

Texture: Thick and scaly
Color: Red or pink with a silvery overlay
Itch Factor: Moderate to severe
Guttate psoriasis
Primarily seen in children and young adults, guttate psoriasis often develops after a bacterial infection like strep throat. This type of psoriasis manifests as small, drop-like sores on the trunk, arms, or legs. Unlike plaque psoriasis, guttate spots are thinner and less scaly.

Key characteristics

Size: Small, teardrop-shaped spots
Trigger: Infections
Affected areas: Torso, limbs
Inverse psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis loves to hide in the folds of your skin like the groin, buttocks, and under the breasts. Unlike other types, it doesn’t have the signature scaling. Instead, it presents as shiny, smooth, red patches that can worsen with friction or sweating. Fungal infections are a common trigger for this form of psoriasis.

Key characteristics

Texture: Smooth and shiny
Location: Skin folds (where friction and sweat occur)
Irritation: Often worsened by sweat and rubbing
Because of its location, inverse psoriasis can be tricky to manage and is prone to fungal infections. Keep the area clean and dry!

Pustular psoriasis
This type is less common but dramatic in its presentation. Pustular psoriasis is characterized by white pustules (blisters filled with non-infectious pus) surrounded by inflamed, red skin. It can appear on specific areas like the hands and feet or spread across the body. We discuss some of the symptoms below.

Key characteristics

Appearance: Blisters filled with pus
Symptoms: Often accompanied by fever or chills
Severity: Can range from localized to widespread
Pustular psoriasis needs immediate medical attention. Don’t ignore those tiny blisters – they could be a sign of something serious!

Erythrodermic psoriasis
This is the rarest and most severe type, causing widespread redness, scaling, and peeling of the skin, often covering large parts of the body. Erythrodermic psoriasis can be life-threatening and usually requires hospitalization.

Key characteristics

Appearance: Intense redness and shedding of skin
Symptoms: Severe itching, pain, and swelling
Triggers: Severe sunburn, infection, or abrupt cessation of psoriasis treatment
This type of psoriasis isn’t something to wait out – call your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms!

In addition, the Mayo Clinic explains that psoriasis doesn’t limit itself to the skin. It can also affect your nails, causing them to become thickened, pitted, discolored, or even detach from the nail bed (a condition called onycholysis). Nail changes are often an early indicator of psoriatic arthritis, a related condition that affects the joints.

Psoriasis may come in different forms, but understanding its signs can empower you to take control. If you notice any of the signs we’ve covered, consult a dermatologist to get the care and treatment you deserve for your better overall health.

If you’d like to share how you manage your psoriasis, please do so in the comments section below. Next, share this story with your friends so we can hear from them!

READ MORE
Cyndi Lauper shows her “True Colors” while dealing with an illness that causes severe pain
Kim Kardashian reveals one of her sons she shares with Kanye West has chronic autoimmune disorder

Related Posts

Jokes That Prove Family Life Is the Funniest Roller Coaster Ride

Jokes That Prove Family Life Is the Funniest Roller Coaster Ride

Family life. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright ridiculous. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that our families give us some of…

Legendary 70s Country Music Icon Passes Away at 73

Legendary 70s Country Music Icon Passes Away at 73

Country music legend Johnny Rodriguez has di.ed at the age of 73, his family confirmed. The Texas-born singer, known for a series of chart-topping hits in the…

A Quiet Video of a Tree Took an Unexpected Turn at 0:18

A Quiet Video of a Tree Took an Unexpected Turn at 0:18

What started as a calm video of a tree swaying in the breeze seemed like just another peaceful nature clip. The person filming had no big plans—just…

Pilot Reacted Emotionally When He Realized

Pilot Reacted Emotionally When He Realized

  Pilot Reacted Emotionally When He Realized A photo of hundreds of birds appearing to fly near a British Airways airplane was virally shared with an inspiring…

Jennifer Aniston Shows 0ff More

Jennifer Aniston Shows 0ff More

We’re diving into Jennifer Aniston’s latest stunning beachside photo. Known for her iconic role as Rachel Green on Friends, Jennifer continues to inspire with her timeless beauty…

THEY FOUND IT! Legendary Treasure of Oak Island Discovered in Smith’s Cove, and Then THIS Happened

THEY FOUND IT! Legendary Treasure of Oak Island Discovered in Smith’s Cove, and Then THIS Happened

In a stunning turn of events that has captivated the world, the legendary treasure of Oak Island, long thought to be a myth, has been discovered in…