PLAQUE PSORIASIS

This is the most common type of psoriasis. The individual plaques are not usually very itchy. They are, very red and covered with flaky silvery-white scales. If you scrape away the scales, with a fingernail, for example, the plaques may bleed.

The plaques usually have a clear edge and are usually symmetrical (one side of the body mirrors the other). The most common affected sites are elbows, knees and scalp, but the plaques can occur anywhere on your body. Fortunately, the face is not affected, although your forehead may be if your scalp is involved, with plaques appearing in front of your hairline.

The appearance of the plaques depends on where they are found on your body. In the moist areas, such as the creases of the armpit and the groin, between the buttocks and under the breasts, there is little or no scaling- the patches are red with a Sharpe border. The palms and soles, however, tend to be scaly, but, because the skin is much thicker at these sites, the colour of the plaques is much less red. I most people, the plaques are large, often several centimetres or much more across. Occasionally, people have several much smaller lesions of up to one centimetre.

GUTTATE PSORIASIS

Guttate psoriasis usually occurs in the children or young adults, and often follows a severe sore throat or bout of tonsillitis caused by streptococcal infection. The sore throat is followed 7 to 14days later by sudden appearance of plaques of psoriasis all over the body, especially on the trunk and limbs. The plaques are small, usually less than one centimetre in diameter. Itching is usually mild or absent. This type of psoriasis usually settles within a few weeks or months.

PUSTULAR PSORIASIS

Pustular psoriasis usually exists as a large red area covered with green tender pustules (blisters) that are one to two millimetres in diameter. After 7 to 10 days, the pustules become dispersed and a brown scale appears. This brown scale is shed as further pustules develop elsewhere, often in a continuous cycle.

In the most common form of pustular psoriasis, palms and soles are involved. It tends to be sore rather than itchy. It is uncomfortable and unsightly, and can make writing or walking difficult.

ERYTHRODERMA

This is a rare event, but can be serious and even life threatening in elderly people. It can even occur in someone without a history of psoriasis. In people with erythroderma, their skin becomes red and hot and continually scales. They lose their ability to control their body temperature and lose heat, body fluids and protein. Full recovery is possible, although the outlook depends on the severity of the condition, and overall health of the person affected.

NAPKIN PSORIASIS

Psoriasis in babies is rare. Most rashes that occur in the nappy area are caused by eczema, fungal infection by Candida or by irritant effect of urine. However, occasionally a red rash with a sharp border occurs and looks like psoriasis. Some babies can develop plaque psoriasis on their elbows and knees. The likelihood of baby developing psoriasis in the later stages of life is increased.

LINEAR PSORIASIS

Most psoriasis is symmetrical and widespread. But very occasionally, someone with plaque psoriasis has only the red patches and white scaling in a line down one limb or possibly on the trunk.