Shingles: A Rash And Severe Pain That Lingers
Shingles is another viral infection that shares some symptoms with psoriasis. Like psoriasis, shingles can make your skin burn and itch and produces a red, blistered skin rash. Shingles is caused by the same virus that first brings on chickenpox. The virus stays in your body and can come back years later to cause shingles, especially during times of stress or infection. The skin rash of shingles follows the course of a single nerve, usually on the trunk. In some cases, severe pain lasts long after the burning, itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over age 50.
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How Can You Ease Your Symptoms
Dr. Fernandez recommends using a moisturizing cream or ointment if you have either eczema or psoriasis. Keeping your skin moist is helpful because youre more likely to itch if your skin is dry.
Your skin can also benefit from these general health tips:
- Drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Drink more water.
- Get plenty of exercise.
There is no cure for psoriasis and multiple types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis. But you can help limit the symptoms by getting proper treatment and taking good care of your skin, Dr. Fernandez says.
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How Psoriasis Is Diagnosed
A GP can often diagnose psoriasis based on the appearance of your skin.
In rare cases, a small sample of skin called a biopsy will be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
This determines the exact type of psoriasis and rules out other skin disorders, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen planus, lichen simplex and pityriasis rosea.
You may be referred to a specialist in diagnosing and treating skin conditions if your doctor is uncertain about your diagnosis, or if your condition is severe.
If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis, which is sometimes a complication of psoriasis, you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in arthritis .
You may have blood tests to rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and X-rays of the affected joints may be taken.
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How Can Parents Help
For some children, psoriasis is just a minor inconvenience. For others, it is a difficult medical condition.
To manage symptoms and make outbreaks less likely, your child should:
- Wash hands well and often and stay away from people who are sick to prevent infections.
- Manage stress through exercise, yoga, or meditation.
- Not smoke or drink alcohol.
- Keep a healthy weight. People who are overweight tend to have more severe psoriasis symptoms.
Kids and teens with psoriasis may feel uncomfortable with the way their skin looks. Help your child understand that psoriasis is common and treatments can help.
Whether your childs psoriasis is mild or severe, learn about the condition together. Offer to help find a therapist or join a support group if that might help. Talk to your doctor or check websites like:
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Psoriasis On Penile Shaft
Psoriasis on the penile shaft may appear as small, red patches, which may be scaly or smooth and shiny. This condition can affect both circumcised and uncircumcised males, but there is not an identifiable cause of this psoriasis in that area. It is, however, important to note that it cannot be transmitted through sexual contact.
Psoriasis in this region is very difficult to control, but it can be easy to relieve symptoms such as itch and discomfort. Treatments of this condition are quite easy since any treatment can be absorbed.
Rash And Skin Disorders
A rash is an area of swollen, irritated skin that manifests in different patterns and varying shades of red, purple or brown. Some rashes are caused by allergic reactions to the environment, food or medications, while others appear because of a skin disorder or underlying disease or infection. Some clear up on their own, but others are chronic and require treatment to control symptoms.
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Most rashes are not life threatening, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. They may be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines, lotions or cortisone creams that relieve itching and swelling. These may go away on their own after a few days or weeks.
For example, a common type of rash is contact dermatitis. It causes redness and itching in reaction to an environmental irritant that touches the skin such as poison ivy, soap, cosmetics or household chemicals. Its usually treated by over-the-counter medicines and staying away from the irritant that triggered the rash. It is uncomfortable but isnt serious or contagious.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Dry, thick, and raised patches on the skin are the most common sign of psoriasis. These patches are often covered with a silvery-white coating called scale, and they tend to itch.
While patches of thickened, dry skin are common, psoriasis can cause many signs and symptoms. What you see and feel tends to vary with the:
-
Type of psoriasis you have
-
Places psoriasis appears on your body
-
Amount of psoriasis you have
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Psoriasis Rash On Arm
A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin that can be itchy, red, and painful and may involve blisters, bumps, or areas of raw skin. Rashes are symptoms of conditions that can come about in response to an allergy, toxin, infection, or larger systemic disease. The appearance of a rash can range from an almost incidental swelling of tissues to an outbreak of painful eruptive sores.
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Ringworm Rash On Face
Ringworm, or tinea corporis, is not a worm, but rather a fungal infection. It starts out as a flat scaly lesion that extends outward in all directions to form a circular shape. Ringworm is so named because the perimeter of the circle is raised and scaly, forming a ring around the central area. Sometimes vesicles develop.
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Some People Also Develop Swelling Deep In Their Skin
Hives cause inflammation in the skin, so the skin may feel hot and swollen. Some people who get hives also develop another type of swelling that occurs deep in the skin or moist tissue that lines the lips, mouth, inside of the eyelids, and elsewhere.
This swelling is called angioedema. It tends to cause pain rather than itch.
Swelling on the lower lip
Angioedema causes pain rather than itch and is more noticeable than the swelling caused by hives. Angioedema usually lasts for 2 to 3 days. If angioedema develops in your mouth or throat, get immediate medical care because the swelling can make breathing difficult.
While hives are common, some people are more likely than others to develop them. Find out if you have a higher risk at: Hives: Causes.
Related AAD resources
ImagesImage 1: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
Images 2-10: Used with permission of DermNet NZ.
ReferencesGrattan CEH and Saini SS. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. . Mosby Elsevier, China, 2018:304-19.
Hide M, Takahagi S, et al. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Kang S, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology. McGraw Hill Education, United States of America, 2019:684-785.
Yosipovitch G and Kwatra SG. Chronic urticaria. In: Living with itch: A patients guide. The Johns Hopkins University Press. United States, 2013: 56-9.
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Articles On Types Of Psoriasis
Knowing which kind of psoriasis you have helps you and your doctor make a treatment plan. Most people have only one type at a time. Sometimes, after your symptoms go away, a new form of psoriasis will crop up in response to a trigger.
In general, most types of psoriasis result from the same triggers:
- Diet
- Weather
Here’s how you can spot the 7 types of psoriasis and what you can do to treat them.
Symptoms Of Hives Or Urticaria
Hives look like raised spots that merge together to form large patches. On children with darker skin, the spots might look brown, purple or grey. On children with lighter skin, the spots might look red or white.
They can happen anywhere on the skin, but theyre often found on the chest, stomach or back. They also tend to move around the body. For example, your child might get a patch that comes and goes on their stomach. Then they might get a patch that comes and goes on their arm.
Some children might get swelling in the areas where they have hives, especially on the eyelids, lips and tongue.
Hives are very itchy and can cause a burning sensation. Your child might also feel itchy in areas with no spots.
Hives can take hours or days to develop. They dont always come up immediately after your child is exposed to a trigger like an allergen. They usually last 2-24 hours. Sometimes they keep coming back for up to 6 weeks.
When hives go, they leave no scarring.
Sometimes hives come and go for many months or years. This is known as chronic hives, and theres usually no specific cause.
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Eczema: Red Itchy Irritated Skin
Like psoriasis, eczema is a chronic skin condition that often causes intense itching. Scratching causes redness and inflammation of the skin, leading to a worsening of the eczema. Scratching can also cause a secondary bacterial infection. The most common type of eczema is caused by a reaction to irritants like detergents, soaps, or household cleansers. So if you have eczema, you should be careful to use mild soap and regularly moisturize your sensitive skin. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or other medications if eczema is severe.
Medical Treatment Topical Agents
The first line of treatment for psoriasis includes topical medications applied to your skin. The main topical treatments are corticosteroids , vitamin D-3 derivatives, coal tar, anthralin, and retinoids. These drugs may lose potency over time, so often they are rotated or combined. Ask your doctor before combining medications, as some drugs should not be combined.
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So What Does Plaque Psoriasis Looks Like
First, let’s talk about why it looks so scaly. People with plaque psoriasis have an overactive immune system that causes their skin cells to grow at a fast pacein only three to four days, says the National Psoriasis Foundation. However, the cells don’t fall off as quickly, which means they build up on the surface of the skin.
This dead skin creates plaques and scales. They can vary in size and form single patches separated by healthy skin or groups of patches that join together and cover large areas of skin.
“Plaques are a little elevated. They form a plateau elevated above the surrounding skin. If you closed your eyes and touched psoriasis, you could feel it,”Robert T. Brodell, MD, chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center tells Health.
He explains that the scales are referred to as “micaceous” because they resemble the mineral mica, which splits into very thin elastic plates.
“If you stuck your finger underneath one of the scales, a broad white flake comes off unlike some other conditions whereby you might have a fine scale, like dandruff, that doesn’t stick together,” he says.
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Acrodermatitis Continua Of Hallopeau
Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is another rare type of palmar-plantar pustular psoriasis. It is characterised by skin lesions on the ends of the fingers, including the nails which can sometimes become completely destroyed, and sometimes on the toes. The eruption sometimes starts after localised physical trauma. Often the lesions are painful and disabling, with the nails deformed, and bone changes may occur. This condition is quite hard to treat satisfactorily.
How To Tell The Difference Between Hives And Psoriasis
Some characteristics of both hives and psoriasis are similar, but the two conditions are not the same. Psoriasis is classified as an autoimmune skin condition whereby cells rapidly accumulate to form thick skin lesions and plaques . As an immune-related condition, psoriasis is also not a contagious disease , and is mostly triggered by stress, injury to the skin, infections , foodstuffs , certain medications or extreme cold weather conditions.
Mild or severe outbreaks result in inflamed or red scaly lesions, and skin that is dry and or / cracked can sometimes bleed. Skin may also itch, burn or become painful. Nails may also thicken, ridge or become pitted. Affected skin areas may also affect the joints, causing swelling and stiffness.
So, what are the differences?
- Hives: Bumps are raised and smooth, appear suddenly, come and go and seldom rupture and bleed .
- Psoriasis: Bumps are usually scaly and have a silvery coating, appear gradually, linger for weeks or months at a time, and often bleed.
A person may be more prone to hives if they have existing food allergies, are under a fair amount of stress or have sensitive skin. Those who experience flare-ups of psoriasis generally have a family history of the condition, experience chronic levels of intense stress, smoke, are overweight or who generally have a weak or compromised immune system.
References:
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 2018. What is Psoriasis?:
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Beware Of Insect Bites
Psoriasis sufferers are vulnerable to suffering from the Koebner phenomenon, where symptoms get worse after the skin is damaged.
An insect bite will break the skin and could set this reaction off, so its well worth taking care during the warmer months.
If youre worried, its a good idea to cover up with long-sleeved tops and long trousers to prevent insects from getting close to your skin.
You should also invest in an effective insect repellent. However, bear in mind that one of the key ingredients in these products, DEET , can react badly with your psoriasis and cause plaques to get worse.
Choose a product with low levels of DEET and never spray insect repellent directly on patches of irritated skin or open sores.
Home Treatment For Psoriasis
There are some home remedies that may help minimize outbreaks or reduce symptoms of psoriasis:
- Exposure to sunlight.
- Apply moisturizers after bathing to keep skin soft.
- Avoid irritating cosmetics or soaps.
- Do not scratch to the point you cause bleeding or excessive irritation.
- Over-the-counter cortisone creams can reduce itching of mild psoriasis.
A dermatologist may prescribe an ultraviolet B unit and instruct the patient on home use.
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Guttate Psoriasis: Small Red Spots
Guttate psoriasis the second most common type of psoriasis is characterized by multiple small, round red spots on the skin, usually widespread across the trunk and limbs. Often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection in children, such as strep throat, these spots come on suddenly and sometimes require oral medication or injections. Mild cases, however, may clear up without treatment.
Measles: A Facial Rash That Can Cover The Body
Like guttate psoriasis, measles also follow symptoms of an upper respiratory infection in children and cause a skin rash of small, red spots. However, the measles skin rash usually starts on the face and spreads down to cover the body and is accompanied by fever, cough, and a runny nose. Measles rash is also flat, while the rash of psoriasis is typically raised. Measles is caused by a virus and is contagious, though the measles vaccination has made this a rare disease in the United States.
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Can Psoriasis Affect Only My Nails
In some cases, psoriasis may involve only the fingernails and toenails, although more commonly, nail symptoms will accompany psoriasis and arthritis symptoms. The appearance of the nails may be altered, and affected nails may have small pinpoint pits or large yellow-colored separations on the nail plate called “oil spots.” Nail psoriasis can be hard to treat but may respond to medications taken for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Treatments include topical steroids applied to the cuticle, steroid injections at the cuticle, or oral medications.
What Does A Psoriatic Arthritis Rash Look Like
A psoriatic arthritis rash can present differently for different patients. For example, one person can have just a few patches near their scalp or elbow while other people can have them on the majority of their body.
One of the most common ways it shows up is as plaque psoriasis, says Dr. Haberman. Plaque psoriasis causes red, slightly raised patches with silvery scales covering them on the elbows, knees, scalp, or in or around the belly button and lower back.
Other types of psoriatic rashes include:
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: generalized redness and scaling of a large portion of the body
- Guttate psoriasis: small, tear-dropped dots or lesions, usually on the trunk, upper arms, and thighs
- Inverse psoriasis: flat, red, shiny psoriasis patches in areas where the skin folds, such as elbows, knees, groin, armpit, or underneath the breast
- Pustular psoriasis: small, fluid-filled blisters, known as pustules, which often develop on the palm of the hands and feet
The reason a psoriatic rash can be hard to diagnose is that it can present in such different ways, says Dr. Haberman. Also, a psoriatic rash can mimic or be easily mistaken for other skin conditions, including:
- Acne
- Tinea versicolor
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