Psoriasis Where Does It Start

Where Does Psoriasis Start

Psoriasis is an incurable skin disease, afflicting more than 7.5 million people in the United States. Symptoms of the disease vary from patient to patient but more common ones include pain, itching, burning and soreness. Dry skin can be chafed and may even bleed. Psoriasis may only cover small areas of the body or wide expanses of skin. Psoriasis usually strikes around 15 to 35 years of age, but there is no guarantee and can occur at any age. Majority of patients will have signs and symptoms before hitting 40. The earlier this skin disease occurs, the more areas it will affect.

Psoriasis can annoy the patient as this disease can leave them disfigured and deformed. Since it affects the skin, it affects appearance of the patient in general. At times patients might feel conscious and embarrassed also.

Psoriasis is recognizable by red lesions that are covered with silver-white scales. These plaques can appear on the knees, scalp, lower back and elbows, but it can occur anywhere on the body. It commonly occurs on symmetrical parts of the body. Most people experience the disease in cycles. At a point of time, their scars will flare up and remain there for some time, generally for a week. Then patients experience a general decline of symptoms and scars. Since psoriasis is a chronic disease, it does recur, in the same pattern. Thus it can be a very frustrating to live with, has negative cosmetic affect and cannot be cured.

Identifying The Symptoms Of Psoriasis On The Scalp

Not all rashes are psoriasis, and if you are already diagnosed with the condition, not everything that happens to you is because of psoriasis. It is important to be aware of the symptoms to understand and avoid the triggers in the future.

Scalp Psoriasis mainly presents itself in the form of red itchy patches on the scalp. It may or may not affect the skin, nails, and joints. It can often be accompanied by joint pain, tendon inflammations, whitish scales covering cracked, damaged skin, and sometimes even bouts of depression.

How Lifestyle Changes Help

In addition to drugs that slow down the march of psoriatic arthritis, you can change your lifestyle to ease the pain, stiffness, and fatigue that come with the disease:

Simplify tasks. Why strain your joints when there are products to make twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling easier? Look for arthritis-friendly products to suit your needs, large and small — from gardening tools to walk-in bathtubs. You can also change the way you do everyday things. For example: Use your body, not your hands, to push open doors lift cookware with two hands instead of one.

Slim down. Losing weight is hard, whether youâre trying to shed 10 or 100 pounds. But achieving a healthy weight can make a difference in your PsA. It lightens the load on your joints, which means less pain, more energy, and better mobility. Plus, being overweight can make some PsA medications less effective.

Master your stress. Like fanning a flame, stress causes your body to release chemicals that aggravate PsA. Consider a therapist or support group for PsA, as well as these proven ways to manage stress:

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Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis plaques can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. The diseases symptoms and appearance vary according to the type and severity of psoriasis.

Some common signs and symptoms include:

• Discolored patches or raised plaques of skin that are covered with scales
• Burning, itching, or soreness near the affected areas
• Pitted or thickened fingernails or toenails

Heat Rash: Sweating That Leads To Bumpy Red Skin

Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that forms in the armpits and skin folds under breasts or in groin areas, making the skin red and shiny. Sweating makes this type of psoriasis worse. Heat rash also makes your skin red and forms in skin folds of the groin, breasts, and armpits. Heat rash occurs in hot, humid conditions. Sweating can cause your pores to get blocked and result in a bumpy, red skin rash that stings. Heat rash is more common in newborns, but can also affect older children and adults.

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How Does Psoriasis Affect The Genitals

Many people have psoriasis symptoms on the genitals and in the genital area. These symptoms can be especially uncomfortable and hard to live with, but there are treatments that can help6. Symptoms can occur on and around the penis, vulva, buttocks, and breasts.

Read more information on symptoms and treatments of psoriasis on your genitals.

Skin: Condition: Infomation Internal Treatments

• Tablet options include acitretin , ciclosporin , methotrexate , and in some hospitals fumaric acid esters and apremilast.
• Injectable treatments for psoriasis include etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab and guselkumab. Other new tablet and injected treatments are being developed in clinical studies at present.
• Blood tests may be recommended by your GP or dermatologist. If you are considering tablet or injection treatment for your psoriasis, then blood tests will be needed before and during treatment.

Further details of these treatments can be found in the Treatments for moderate and severe psoriasis and individual drug patient information leaflets.

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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.

How Does Psoriasis Affect The Elbows And Knees

The elbows and knees are also very common sites for plaque psoriasis symptoms. Half of people with the condition report having symptoms on their elbows, and around one-third of people have symptoms on their knees2. Plaques in these locations can tend to lead to painfulcracks or fissures because the joints move so much during normal activities, which ruptures the plaques. There is a wide range of treatment options available for people with psoriasis symptoms on the elbows and knees.

Read more information on symptoms and treatments for psoriasis on elbows and knees.

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Healthy Eating And Exercise

People with psoriasis have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease than the general population, although it’s not known why. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with psoriasis, because they can help to prevent many health problems.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can also relieve stress, which may improve your psoriasis.

What Can Trigger Psoriasis

Plenty of everyday things can act as a trigger, causing psoriasis to appear for the first time. Common psoriasis triggers include:

• Stress

• Skin injury, such as a cut or bad sunburn

• Infection, such as strep throat

• Some medications, including lithium, prednisone, and hydroxychloroquine

• Weather, especially cold, dry weather

• Tobacco

• Alcohol

These triggers can also cause psoriasis flare-ups. Different people have different triggers. For example, periods of intense stress may trigger your psoriasis but cold weather may not.

Thats why its so important for people who have psoriasis to know what triggers their psoriasis. Avoiding triggers can reduce psoriasis flares.

Youll find common triggers and what you can do to avoid them at: Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?

If you think you have psoriasis, its important to find out. Treatment can help relieve your discomfort and lead to clearer skin. You can find out how board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat psoriasis at: Psoriasis: Treatment.

Related AAD resources

1 Gottlieb A, Korman NJ, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 58:851-64.2 Alexis AF, Blackcloud P. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 7:16-24.

ImageGetty Images

References Alexis AF, Blackcloud P. Psoriasis in skin of color: epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, and treatment nuances. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 7:16-24.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

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Guttate Psoriasis And Similar Conditions

Guttate psoriasis is easy to mistake for other common conditions. Seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrhea, is a type of skin condition involving the oil-producing glands found in the face, scalp, chest, groin, and upper back. Seborrheic dermatitis often results in rashes and lesions in these areas. Lesions tend to be undefined in shape and pink with yellow-brown scales.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is another skin condition noted by a rash and patches of dry skin. However, eczema tends to be limited to the back of the knees or the insides of the elbows.

Dandruff is easy to mistake for psoriasis on the scalp. Dandruff is a form of seborrhea relegated to the scalp. It produces fine, greasy scales all over the head. Guttate psoriasis rarely affects only the scalp.

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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What Are Psoriasis Flare

One feature of psoriasis is that its recurring, often seasonally. Other times, the appearance or reappearance of your psoriasis symptoms can be unpredictable, with patterns or triggers changing over time. When your symptoms suddenly reappear or worsen, these are called flare-ups.

You may not have to suffer every time one occurs. Working with your doctor can help you make lifestyle choices to better manage flare-ups.

Ready to talk to your dermatologist? Learn about your options: Psoriasis Treatments

Psoriasis Pictures On Body

When psoriasis on body is diagnosed, it means that it can affect any part of it. The only thing, it is proved that psoriasis on legs occurs frequently but still it is possible. The patient can complain of this skin disease in inconvenient places like genitals, bottoms of the feet or armpits where the contact with the injured skin hurts. Here the patches are larger compared to typical areas due to the increased moisture.

Severe forms of psoriasis on body with pain can threaten to life of the patient. The deviation is not possible to get rid of. There is not any remedy curing this chronic autoimmune condition but the pharmacologists created a range of medications releasing pain and easing symptoms. Treating all types of psoriasis is critically important. The symptoms are not only irritating and looking unwell but can cause serious complications.

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What Causes Psoriasis Outbreaks

Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. No one knows exactly what causes flare-ups. Common psoriasis triggers may include:

• Skin injury .
• Streptococcal or other infection that affects the immune system.
• Certain prescription medications .
• Cold weather, when people have less exposure to sunlight and humidity and more to hot, dry indoor air.

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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What Is Psoriatic Arthritis Video

Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in and around your joints.

It usually affects people who already have the skin condition psoriasis . This causes patches of red, raised skin, with white and silvery flakes.

Sometimes people have arthritis symptoms before the psoriasis. In rare cases, people have psoriatic arthritis and never have any noticeable patches of psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are autoimmune conditions. Our immune system protects us against illness and infection. In autoimmune conditions, the immune system becomes confused and attacks healthy parts of the body.

Both conditions can affect people of any age.

Its estimated that around one in five people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis.

People with psoriasis are as likely as anyone else to get other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions are not linked to psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of spondyloarthritis. These are a group of conditions with some similar symptoms.

How Does Psoriasis Affect Skin Folds

Any of the bodys skin folds or creases can possibly develop psoriasis symptoms. Common locations include the armpits, under the breasts, in the area between the buttocks, and in the creases between the groin and upper thighs7. Treatment will often improve these symptoms, but must take care not to further irritate the sensitive skin in these areas.

Read more information on symptoms and treatments of psoriasis on skin folds.

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Top Warning Signs Of Psoriasis

There are many warning signs of psoriasis. Some of the symptoms, like the characteristic rash, are easy to detect. Others can be a bit more confusing because they can also be characteristics of other diseases.

1. Rashes

Rashes are, undoubtedly, the most common warning sign of psoriasis. In fact, 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis develop rashes. They develop them because the immune system causes skin cells to produce rapidly, causing the characteristic of red or silver scales. In those with darker skin tones, the scales will manifest as purple or dark brown patches. Before the patches develop, you may notice raised itchy areas of inflammation.

2. Scaly Plaques on the Scalp

Scalp psoriasis symptoms vary based on the severity of symptoms. Some people have mild symptoms, which causes slight, fine scaling others have significant thick and crusted sores.

In fact, scalp psoriasis is only part of the picture. Those who suffer from plaques on the scalp may also notice the following:

• Flakes that resemble dandruff.

• Skin Care Psoriasis

4. Problems With the Fingernails and Toenails

Nail psoriasis is its own subtype and can occur with or without plaque psoriasis. It is called palmoplantar psoriasis. Approximately 12% to 16% of people with psoriasis have some type of involvement with their hands and feet.

5. Aching Joints

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.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Ringworm

The specific symptoms of ringworm depend on the location of the infection. They typically include:

• Itchy skin
• Red, scaly, or cracked skin
• A ring-shaped rash
• Hair loss

Symptoms of ringworm can be different depending on the specific part of the body thats affected:

• Tinea pedis, or athletes foot Skin may peel or become swollen, red, and itchy between the toes . The soles and heels of the feet may also be affected. In severe cases, blistering of the feet can occur.
• Tinea cruris, or jock itch Itchy, scaly red spots usually appear on the inner thighs.
• Tinea barbae Scaly, itchy red spots may be visible on the cheeks, chin, and upper neck. The spots may become crusty or fill up with pus, and hair loss may occur.
• Tinea manuum Palms may have dry skin with deep cracks, and ring-shaped patches may appear on the back of the hand.
• Tinea capitis Typically looks like a scaly, red, circular bald spot on the scalp that is also itchy, and it can grow in size. Ringworm on the scalp is more common in children than adults.
• Onychomycosis Nails become thick and abnormal in shape and color, and one or several nails may be affected. Onychomycosis often occurs in people who have athletes foot for a prolonged period.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Ringworm

There are about 40 different species of fungi in the Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton genera that can cause ringworm.

Ringworm is contagious even before symptoms appear, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The condition is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Like other types of fungi, dermatophytes thrive in warm, moist areas. You can catch ringworm by:

• Having direct, skin-to-skin contact with affected areas of an infected personâs body
• Touching items that have the fungi on them, such as clothing, combs, pool surfaces, and shower floors
• Playing with pets. Cats and dogs, and especially kittens and puppies, are common carriers, according to the National Institutes of Health . Touching other infected animals, such as cows, goats, pigs, and horses, can also lead to an infection. Sometimes an animals infection looks like an area where the fur is patchy or scaly, but the signs may not always be visible. Be sure to take your pet to the veterinarian if you think it might have an infection.

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