How do I know if I have psoriasis symptoms?

Psoriasis Symptoms and Complications

1. Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales (called plaques)
2. Small, round, scaly spots (commonly seen in children)
3. Dry, cracked skin that may bleed.
4. Itching, burning, or soreness.
5. Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails.
6. Swollen and stiff joints.

When do psoriasis symptoms start?

Symptoms often start between ages 15 and 25, but can start at any age. Men, women, and children of all skin colors can get psoriasis.

How does plaque psoriasis begin?

Doctors aren’t sure why people get plaque psoriasis. It’s considered an autoimmune disease. That means your immune system attacks healthy cells as if it’s fighting an infection. This causes new skin cells to grow much faster than normal, and they build up in thick patches.

What do psoriasis plaques look like?

Plaque Psoriasis Patches of skin are red, raised and have silvery-white flakes, called scales. They usually show up on your scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. They may crack and bleed and they feel sore and itchy.

What does plaque psoriasis feel like?

The most common form, plaque psoriasis causes dry, raised, red skin patches (lesions) covered with silvery scales. The plaques might be itchy or tender, and there may be few or many. They usually appear on elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

Is plaque psoriasis life threatening?

Psoriasis is not generally considered life-threatening, except in cases of erythrodermic psoriasis. This rare type of psoriasis can affect the entire body. Erythrodermic psoriasis can cause shivering and fluid retention, and may increase the risk of pneumonia and heart failure.

Is plaque psoriasis painful?

Plaque psoriasis can be a very itchy and sometimes painful condition. It also can be embarrassing and doesn’t always respond to treatment. It’s sometimes misdiagnosed as another skin condition, such as dermatitis and eczema. Plaque psoriasis typically involves patches of rough, red skin and silvery white scales.

How does a doctor diagnose plaque psoriasis?

A doctor can diagnose plaque psoriasis simply by examining it closely either with his or her eyes, or with the help of a microscope. Plaque psoriasis is similar to other skin conditions, like atopic dermatitis (a form of eczema), so careful examination can be key to making an accurate diagnosis.

Can plaque psoriasis be mild, moderate, or severe?

Plaque psoriasis is generally classified into three categories: mild, moderate, or severe . Approximately 80\% of people diagnosed with psoriasis have mild to moderate disease, and 20\% are diagnosed with severe psoriasis. How is the severity of psoriasis assessed?

What are the main causes of plaque psoriasis?

Trauma or injury to skin. These may include cuts,burns and even insect bites.

Infection. This includes HIV- AIDS,which is basically a common ailment that can develop psoriasis.

Certain medications. It has been implicated that beta-blockers,antimalarial drugs and NSAIDs can cause psoriasis.

Stress/anxiety/depression.

Smoking and alcohol consumption.