Psoriasis: the different types of the disease

Psoriasis: what is it?

THE psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which causes the appearance of red spots and flaking. It is not contagious, can appear at any age and affects 1 to 31 people in 30000 people worldwide. 

In this article, we'll explain the various types of the disease. Symptoms can vary from person to person. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis and treatment must be carried out by a dermatologist, capable of determining the specific type of disease and recommending the best therapeutic options for each case. 

What are the different types of psoriasis?

• Plaque Psoriasis This is, in fact, the most common type, affecting approximately 801,000 patients. It is characterized by the appearance of thick, red patches on the skin, covered with silvery scales. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

• Guttate psoriasis - is a type of disease characterized by the appearance of small, red, scaly patches on the skin, resembling drops. It is usually triggered by bacterial infections, such as strep throat, and primarily affects children and young adults.

• Inverse psoriasis  - also known as flexural, it occurs in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. The lesions are bright red, smooth patches, without the typical scales of plaque-like disease.

• Pustular psoriasis - is A rare and severe form of this disease characterized by the appearance of white pustules filled with pus on red, inflamed skin. It can affect localized areas, such as the hands and feet (localized pustular psoriasis) or spread throughout the body (generalized pustular psoriasis).

• Erythrodermic psoriasis - Another rare and severe form of the disease that affects most of the body's surface, causing widespread inflammation of the skin. The skin may become red, hot, and scaly, and intense, constant itching and pain are common.

• Scalp psoriasis - It can also affect the scalp, causing red patches and flaking. It can extend beyond the hairline, affecting the forehead, nape of the neck, and the area around the ears.

• Nail Psoriasis - In this type, the fingernails and toenails are affected, causing changes such as longitudinal grooves, white spots, thickening, discoloration, peeling and even loss of the nail.

To clarify other questions about the treatment of this disease or to schedule your appointment with Dr. Ana Moreira, dermatologist at Allure Clinic, fill out this form.