What Do Psoriasis Spots Look Like – From white rashes to red and scaly patches, psoriasis skin rashes come in many forms. How do you know if you have psoriasis or a similar skin condition?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is thought to be caused by a malfunctioning immune system. If you have psoriasis, your immune system sends signals to your skin that speed up the production of skin cells. While there are signs and symptoms that distinguish the disease from other conditions that affect the skin, it is not always easy to distinguish it at first.
What Do Psoriasis Spots Look Like
About 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis, which causes itchy, dry, red patches of skin called plaques. Psoriasis plaques can consist of several spots of blister-like scales or large eruptions covering large areas. While the disease can occur anywhere on your body, it most commonly occurs on the head, elbows, knees, back, face, palms, and feet.
Closeup Women Itching Scratching Psoriasis Spots Stock Photo 1115868872
There are five types of psoriasis – plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverted psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis – none of which are contagious. Each type causes a different skin rash and can appear in different areas of the body. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common type. Up to 90 percent of people with psoriasis have this form. Psoriasis is the second most common type. Less common are pustular psoriasis, which is characterized by pus-filled bumps called pus, and erythrodermic psoriasis, a more serious form of the disease that affects about 3 percent of people with psoriasis.
It’s not clear what exactly causes psoriasis, although genetic factors play a big role in whether you’ll develop the chronic skin condition.
Symptoms of psoriasis usually respond to treatment. Most treatments for psoriasis aim to stop skin cells from growing too quickly and smooth the skin. But the disease never goes away, and it tends to come back. Treatment options may include topical corticosteroids and biologics. Another option is light therapy, or phototherapy, in which targeted beams of light are delivered to the skin.
Because psoriasis can resemble other skin conditions that cause scaly and itchy rashes with inflammation, it is often confused with different diseases. These may include common skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or heat rash. Psoriasis can also resemble and be confused with a fungal infection called ringworm.
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In most cases, psoriasis can be diagnosed through a physical examination. However, a skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other possibilities and reach an accurate diagnosis.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of chronic skin condition, affecting 80 percent of people with psoriasis. Usually starting as small red bumps on the skin, plaque psoriasis (pictured) develops into red patches with a silvery, scaly coating – these raised patches are called plaques. Plaques usually appear on the elbows, knees, and lower back, and can last for months or even years.
Guttate psoriasis (pictured) – the second most common type of psoriasis – is characterized by small, round spots on the skin, mostly on the trunk and limbs. Often caused by 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 disappear without treatment.
Psoriasis skin lesions tend to itch, burn, and feel painful. Psoriasis patches usually occur on your knees and elbows. Many people also have scalp psoriasis. The common skin rash of seborrheic dermatitis (pictured) also causes inflamed, itchy skin. It can occur on your head, where it may be called a fever, or on your face and chest. While doctors do not know the exact cause of seborrhea, it occurs on the age spectrum, in infants as well as in adults, and is often treated with creams and ointments.
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Pityriasis rosea (pictured) causes a red, scaly skin rash that can resemble guttate psoriasis. Acne is common in children and adults. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms and is followed by a red, scaly, and sometimes itchy oval-shaped patch that appears on your back or stomach. Like psoriasis, skin rashes are not contagious. Doctors don’t know the exact cause, but pityriasis rosea may be due to a viral or bacterial infection. You can take medication to reduce the itching, and the rash should go away after a few weeks to months. And unlike psoriasis, this skin rash rarely comes back.
Like psoriasis, eczema (pictured) is a chronic skin condition that often causes severe itching. Scratching causes redness and swelling of the skin, making the eczema worse. Scratching can also cause secondary bacterial infections. The most common type of eczema is caused by a reaction to an allergen such as soap, detergent, or household cleaner. So if you have eczema, you should be careful to use a mild soap and moisturize your sensitive skin regularly. Your doctor may prescribe steroid creams or other medications if your eczema is severe.
Some types of psoriasis appear as pus-filled blisters that may be confused with acne. Pustular psoriasis forms a white rash filled with pus and surrounded by red skin. Much more common than psoriasis, acne (pictured) also causes pus-filled blisters. However – unlike psoriasis – acne is caused by excess oil, clogged pores, and bacteria. Acne is common in teenagers and young adults and occurs on the face, neck, back, or chest. Pustular psoriasis is usually seen in adults and can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the face.
Like guttate psoriasis, measles (pictured) also follows upper respiratory tract infections in children and causes small, red spots on the skin. However, the rash of measles usually starts on the face and spreads to cover the body and is accompanied by fever, cough, and runny nose. Measles rashes are also flat, while psoriasis rashes are usually raised. Measles is caused by a virus and is contagious, although the measles vaccine has made it a rare disease in the United States.
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Shingles (pictured) is another viral infection that shares some symptoms with psoriasis. Like psoriasis, shingles can make your skin burn and itch and produce red, itchy skin rashes. Shingles is caused by the same virus that first causes chickenpox. The virus stays in your body and can come back years later to cause shingles, especially during times of stress or infection. Shingles skin rash follows the course of a single nerve, usually the trunk. In some cases, severe pain lasts a long time after the burn, the itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over the age of 50.
Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some of the symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause many symptoms of nail fungus, both of which can cause red, itchy skin. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a red skin rash that appears in the center, called ringworm (pictured). Fungal infections of the skin and nails are difficult to treat. Antifungal medications work, but you may need to take them for a long time.
Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that occurs in the armpits and skin folds under the breasts or in the groin area, making the skin red and shiny. Sweating worsens this type of psoriasis. Heat rash (pictured) also makes your skin red and forms skin folds on the groin, breasts, and armpits. Heat rash occurs in hot, humid conditions. Sweating can cause your pores to clog and lead to swollen, red, itchy skin rashes. Heat rash is common in newborns, but it can also affect older children and adults.
Dry, cracked skin is a symptom of psoriasis. However, dry air can also cause your skin to become dry and itchy. When the skin is dry and irritated (pictured), it is more likely to get infected. An infection can cause your skin to become red and swollen. If you have skin rashes that keep coming back or won’t go away, see your doctor. Most cases of psoriasis can be diagnosed by physical examination; but because psoriasis can mimic many other skin conditions, a skin biopsy may be done to make a definitive diagnosis.
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