What Does Psoriasis Look Like On Arms – From white blisters to red and scaly patches, psoriasis skin rashes come in several different forms. How do you know if you have psoriasis or a similar skin condition?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by a dysfunction of the immune system. If you have psoriasis, your immune system sends signals to your skin that speed up the production of skin cells. Although there are signs and symptoms that set the disease apart from other conditions that affect the skin, it is not always easy to distinguish it at first.
What Does Psoriasis Look Like On Arms
About 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis, which causes itchy, scaly patches of thick, red, dry skin called plaques. Psoriasis plaques can consist of a few spots of dandruff-like scales or major eruptions that cover large areas. While the disease can affect any part of your body, it most often surfaces on the scalp, elbows, knees, back, face, palms and feet.
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There are five types of psoriasis – plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis – none of which are contagious. Each type causes a different rash and can appear on different areas of the body. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common type. As many as 90 percent of people with psoriasis have this form. Guttate psoriasis is the second most common type. Much less common is pustular psoriasis, which is characterized by hollow-filled bumps known as pustules, and erythrodermic psoriasis, a very serious form of the disease that affects about 3 percent of people with psoriasis.
It’s unclear what exactly causes psoriasis, although genetic factors have a lot to do with whether you’ll develop the chronic skin condition.
Psoriasis symptoms typically respond to treatment. Most psoriasis therapies aim to stop skin cells from growing so quickly and to smooth out the skin. But the disease can never go away completely, and it tends to come back. Treatment options may include topical corticosteroids and biologic drugs. Another option is light therapy, or phototherapy, in which targeted light rays are delivered to the skin.
Because psoriasis can look like other skin conditions that cause scaly patches and itchy rashes with inflammation, it is often confused with various disorders. These may include common skin conditions such as acne, eczema or heat rash. Psoriasis can also resemble and be confused with the fungal infection known as ringworm.
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Most of the time, psoriasis can be diagnosed with a physical examination. However, a skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other possibilities and arrive at a definitive diagnosis.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the chronic skin condition, affecting about 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 elbows, knees and the lower back, and they can last for months or even years without treatment.
Guttate psoriasis (pictured) – the second most common type of psoriasis – is characterized by multiple small, round red spots on the skin, usually widespread over the trunk and limbs. Often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection in children, such as strep throat, the spots come on suddenly and sometimes require oral medication or injections. Mild cases, however, may clear up without treatment.
A psoriasis skin rash tends to itch, burn and feel painful. Patches of psoriasis often occur on your knees and elbows. Many people also have scalp psoriasis. The common skin rash seborrheic dermatitis (pictured) also causes scaly, itchy skin patches. It can occur on your scalp, where it may be called dandruff, or on your face and chest. While doctors do not know the exact cause of seborrhea, it occurs across the age spectrum, in babies as well as in adults, and is usually treated with creams and lotions.
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Pityriasis rosea (pictured) causes a red skin rash that is scaly and can look like guttate psoriasis. This skin rash is common in children and young adults. It often begins with cold-like symptoms and is followed by red, scaly and sometimes itchy oval-shaped patches that appear on your back or abdomen. Like psoriasis, this skin rash is not contagious. Doctors do not know the exact cause, but pityriasis rosea may be due to a viral or bacterial infection. You can take medication to relieve 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 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.
Some forms of psoriasis appear as pus-filled blisters that may be confused with pimples. Pustular psoriasis forms white blisters that are filled with pus and surrounded by red skin. Much more common than psoriasis, acne (pictured) also causes a urine-filled eruption. But – unlike psoriasis – acne is caused by excess oil, blocked pores and bacteria. Acne is common in teens 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 less likely on the face.
Like guttate psoriasis, measles (pictured) also follows symptoms of an upper respiratory infection in children and causes 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 psoriasis rash is typically raised. Measles is caused by a virus and is contagious, although the measles vaccination has made this 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 a red, blistered skin rash. 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. 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 burn, itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over age 50.
Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause the thick fingernails symptomatic of fungal nail infections, and both can cause red, itchy skin rashes. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a scaly, red skin rash that clears in the middle, called ringworm (pictured). Fungal infections of the skin and nails can be 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 forms in the armpits and skin folds under the breasts or in groin areas, making the skin red and shiny. Sweating makes this type of psoriasis worse. Heat rash (pictured) 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 rash that stings. Heat rash is more common in newborns, but can also affect older children and adults.
Dry, cracked skin is a symptom of psoriasis. However, dry air can also make your skin dry and itchy. When the skin is dry and irritated (pictured), it is more likely to get infected. 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 with a physical examination; But because psoriasis can look like many other skin conditions, a skin biopsy may be done to definitively diagnose it. Knowing what type of psoriasis you have can help you and your doctor find an effective treatment plan.
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Your doctor can usually diagnose the form based on your symptoms and a careful skin examination. But a biopsy is sometimes needed for confirmation.
Because psoriasis can look like other skin conditions that cause itchy, scaly rashes with inflammation, it is often confused with various disorders. These may include common skin conditions, such as eczema, heat rash, types of skin cancers and dandruff. Psoriasis can also resemble and be confused with the fungal infection known as ringworm.
Most people only have one type of psoriasis, but you can develop a new type of skin disorder at any time. (1)
Plaque psoriasis is characterized by raised, scaly patches of skin. On white skin, the patches, known as plaques, are often red or pink, with silvery-white scales. On the skin of color plaques can appear salmon with silvery-white scales, or violet or dark brown with gray scales.
Types Of Psoriasis
Plaks can
