Where on the Body Can You Get Psoriasis?

Raised, inflamed patches of skin are the hallmark of Psoriasis, which can spring up virtually anywhere on your body. However, different types of Psoriasis also tend to appear in specific places.

Types of Psoriasis include:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common Trusted Source type, plaque psoriasis may appear symmetrically across the body. On lighter skin, the plaques may appear red or pink. They can appear purple or dark brown on darker skin. Whites, silvers, grays, and black scaling are also present.
• Inverse Psoriasis (flexural Psoriasis): This type of Psoriasis develops as smooth, dry, red patches on the skin or folds in the skin. Patches may be red or simply darker than the surrounding skin.
• Guttate Psoriasis: More common in childhood and young adulthood, this type of Psoriasis appears suddenly as small, raindrop-shaped spots on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Depending on the color of the skin, the spots can appear pink, red, purple, or brown.
• Pustular Psoriasis: This condition is characterized by pus‑filled blisters (pustules) that form on swollen skin and can mimic an infection.
• Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This uncommon and dangerous form may cover large parts of the body’s surface and lead to redness that resembles a burn.

In this article, we look at where Psoriasis forms on the body.

Scalp

Scalp psoriasis is usually plaque psoriasis, but  guttate Psoriasis can appear on the scalp.

Psoriasis on the scalp may occur on:

• hairline
• forehead
• back of the neck
• around the ears
• whole scalp

Symptoms and signs of scalp psoriasis may include:

• extreme dryness
• severe itching
• dandruff-like scaling
• surface cracking and bleeding
• sensations of burning or pain
• hair loss

Topical psoriasis treatments can be hard to use on the scalp if the skin is covered with hair. But you can try many over-the-counter and prescription-strength medicated shampoos and other topical treatments. These may include coal tar, salicylic acid, or corticosteroids.

Scalp psoriasis can also spread to the back of the neck and around the ears.

Face

The face is involved in plaque psoriasis and guttate Psoriasis. Signs and symptoms of facial Psoriasis: What you might see and feel on the face

• itching
• soreness
• overly sensitive skin

Trusted source people with facial Psoriasis also have involvement in the scalp.

The parts of the face that are most likely to be affected by Psoriasis include:

• upper forehead
• lower forehead
• ears or area around the ears
• cheeks

Psoriasis can occasionally affect the skin in or around the mouth and the skin near the eyes.

Oral Psoriasis may cause:

• redness
• burning
• bleeding
• Trouble eating or swallowing.

You can discuss with both a physician and a dentist if you have any of these symptoms.

Eyes and Psoriasis Psoriasis near the eyes can result in:

• Redness or discoloration
• dryness
• discomfort
• vision impairment

Discuss with a doctor how to treat Psoriasis that affects your eyes. You might be more cautious with topical treatments around the eye.

Facial Psoriasis can affect any part of the face. It has to be handled with precision as the skin is sensitive.

Hands and feet

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of Psoriasis and can appear anywhere on the body, including the hands and feet.

An estimated 12% to 16%Trusted Source of people with Psoriasis get it on their hands or feet. This is known as palmoplantar Psoriasis.

Signs of palmoplantar Psoriasis can include:

• Localized areas of thickened, raised skin
• redness or discoloration
• fissures or cracks
• pain
• itching or burning sensations

Because palmoplantar Psoriasis may restrict the function of the hands and feet, it might limit movement, limit one’s ability to perform specific tasks, and reduce the overall quality of life.

It is also possible for individuals to have pustular Psoriasis on their hands and feet. Pustules are most commonly found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The surrounding tissue will be red or dark. The pustules will eventually form scales and peel away. New pustules may develop every few days or weeks.

Palmoplantar Psoriasis  appears on the palm and soles.

Knees and elbows

Plaque psoriasis often occurs on the knees and elbows. You can identify it due to the proffered from raised plaques of red, purple, or brown skin that is raised and covered in silver, white, or grey scales. The knees and elbows may become extremely itchy and even painful.

The patches may also thicken further with scratching.

Psoriasis involving only the elbow or knee is likely to be plaque-type.

Nails

Your fingernails and toenails may change with any psoriasis. Nail symptoms eventually affect about 90 percent of people with Psoriasis.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis may include:

• Whitish, yellowish, or brownish discoloration under one or more nails
• thickening, ridging, pitting, or crumbling of nails
• abnormal nail growth
• nail lifting off the nail bed

Nail psoriasis can be a sign of psoriatic arthritis. If you have these symptoms, you might take a trip to the doctor for a screening for this condition.

Nails may also become thick, pitted, and disced and may have lines across them.

Skin folds

Inverse Psoriasis affects approximately 21% to 30% of those with Psoriasis, and it tends to affect skin folds such as:

• armpits
• under the breasts
• genital area
• buttocks

It usually consists of large patches of inflamed skin that appear deep red or darker than normal.

The skin is non-scaly but smooth. Symptoms can include:

• intense itching
• soreness
• burning
• pain

Friction, hot weather, and sweating can exacerbate symptoms.

Inverse Psoriasis occurs in skin folds, such as the armpits, and may itch intensely.

Genitals

Approximately 63%Trusted Source of people with Psoriasis will have genital Psoriasis at some time. Genitals Inverse psoriasis and plaque psoriasis can occur on the genitals.

This form of Psoriasis may (rarely) be generalized and may spread to involve the:

• vulva
• penis
• scrotum
• skin above the genitals
• a fold between the genitals and the thigh
• Crease between the buttocks
• inner and upper thighs

The most common Trusted Source symptom of genital Psoriasis is itching. Chapman has other signs, including redness, burning, and pain. Symptoms may also exacerbate during or after intercourse and may affect sex life.

Psoriasis in the genital region is very common. It may also involve the genitals and inner thighs.

Arms, legs, and torso

Both plague and guttate Psoriasis can affect the arms, legs, and trunk. If you have plaque psoriasis, you might see darkened skin with raised plaques covered in scales. The discolored exciting attractions are the mark of guttate Psoriasis.

The legs can be involved in both plaque psoriasis and guttate Psoriasis.

Whole body

Erythrodermic Psoriasis is uncommon in 1% to 2.25% Trusted Source of people with Psoriasis. This form of Psoriasis can involve the entire body and is often fatal.

Symptoms and signs may be:

• Extremely red or discolored skin covering 75% or more trusted Source of the body.
• scaling
• thick sheets of skin peeling sloughing of skin in thick sheets
• severe itching and pain
• Changes in heart rate
• fever
• chills
• dehydration
• nail changes
• hair loss

It is also rare 9,10 and can be life-threatening 11. Generalized pustular Psoriasis (von Zumbusch psoriasis) can appear suddenly, with pustules covering much of the skin. The pustules rupture and discharge pus onto the skin within a day; the skin will dry and, in another day or two, flake away, replaced by a soft, smooth surface.

Other symptoms may include:

• fever
• muscle weakness
• fatigue
• nausea
• tremors

These forms of Psoriasis need to be treated by a doctor.

The entire body can be affected by a rare and serious psoriasis known as erythrodermic Psoriasis.

Management and  Treatments for Psoriasis

Factors that determine the treatment of Psoriasis include, but are not limited to:

• The types and sites of the Psoriasis
• severity of symptoms
• comorbidities (such as psoriatic arthritis)

Psoriasis is a long-term condition, so that treatment may be required for the rest of your life. For mild to moderate symptoms, you may be able to manage yours with a topical treatment.

Topical treatments are as follows:

• moisturizers, ointments, and creams
• medicated shampoos
• treatments containing coal tar or salicylic acid
• corticosteroids
• anthralin
• retinoids
• vitamin D-based medications
• aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists
• phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors

Psoriasis can also be treated with light therapy (phototherapy). This requires consistent routine exposure to ultraviolet light. This type of treatment can be administered in the doctor’s office, or you might be prescribed a phototherapy unit at home.

You may also need systemic medication if your Psoriasis is widespread or severe. This may be in the form of tablets, injections, or infusions as follows:

• Acitretin, a synthetic retinoid Other Names: AINT Other: Placebo (sugar pill) 40 mg/day placebo to acitretin capsule for 6 months Placebo Comparator: Placebo Sugar pill acitretin, 40 mg/day for 6 months Drug: acitretin, synthetic retinoid Other: Placebo (sugar pill) 40 mg/day placebo to acitretin capsule for 6 months Outcome Measures Go to Top of Page Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information Brief Summary This is a multi-center, randomized trial designed to evaluate if acitretin can decrease growth velocity in children and adolescents with facial angiofibroma.
• Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine
• Biologics that attack specific parts of the immune system It binds enzymes related to the immune system response that causes Psoriasis.
• JAK inhibitors * that specifically target the enzymes (JAKs) involved in the immune response. JAK inhibitors: (type of medication) others * are not exactly first-line treatment (compared to both biologics and topicals), but because they are new and exciting (and work in a new way), they will probably have higher priority for funding because it looks like it might make strong treatment (trending that way)!

You can collaborate with a doctor to develop a treatment plan appropriate for your particular type of Psoriasis.

Takeaway

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that can occur anywhere. However, some forms of Psoriasis are more likely to affect a certain part of the body than the rest.

Psoriasis is generally lifelong, but an increasing array of treatment choices, including local and systemic medications, can help manage it.