What Characterizes the Different
Forms of Psoriasis?

Physicians characterize the different forms of Psoriasis by the type of lesions that appear and the area of the body that is affected. Patients generally don’t have more than one of the forms of this skin disease at a time, but it is possible for two or three types to appear concurrently. Sometimes one form changes into or is followed by a different form.

The most common form of this skin disease is called plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is usually found on the skin around the bends of the body. It may also develop on the top of the head or around the waistline of the back. This is the form of this skin diseasethat presents as thick red patches. The red welts are usually covered with dead skin cells which flake off easily. These scaly cells are a silver colored white.

A second form of this skin disease, Guttate psoriasis, presents as tiny red spots, dotted individually over the body. These spots are also raised from the skin of the body. This form of this skin disease is usually found on the arms and legs, as well as the trunk of the body. Guttate psoriasis comes on quickly and without warning.

A final form of this skin disease is labeled as pustular psoriasis. In this form, blisters consisting of white blood cells form on the body. These may only appear in limited areas, or they may envelop almost all of the skin of the body. Reddened skin is the first sign of this form of psoriasis and appears before the blisters erupt. Even when oozing, the blisters are not contagious.

Knowing the form of this skin disease is important because each form has a preferred method of treatment. Over-the-counter methods may give relief for some forms of psoriasis while medical intervention is necessary for more severe forms.

The form of this skin disease called inverse psoriasis usually affects the more sensitive areas of the body. Although a patient with inverse psoriasis does not develop the scales found in plaque psoriasis, he does have to deal with the itching. Inverse psoriasis may be shiny, smooth patches that appear in the skin folds under the breasts or in the genital or buttocks areas. It may also appear under the armpits.