Symptoms of Psoriasis

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Psoriasis includes the 39 symptoms listed below:

• Recurring attacks of skin rash symptoms
• Skin rash
  • Small red patches - these gradually expand and become scaly
  • Red plaques (red scales)
  • Silvery scales
• Skin rash may affect various locations:
  • Elbow rash
  • Knee rash
  • Trunk rash
  • Arm rash
  • Leg rash
  • Scalp rash
  • Back rash
  • Buttocks rash
  • Nail rash
  • Armpit rash
  • Genital region rash
  • Eyebrow rash
• Skin symptoms
  • Skin pain
  • Skin inflammation
  • Skin itching
  • Cracked skin
  • Skin blisters - common in Pustular psoriasis
• Restricted joint motion
• Emotional distress
• Arthritis - about 10% of cases get arthritis caused by psoriatic arthritis
• Thickening nails
• Split nails
• Raised pus-filled skin bumps
• Skin redness around pustules
• Stinging skin
• Itching skin
• Burning skin
• Peeling skin
• The patient experiences constitutional signs and symptoms, such as headache, fever, chills, arthralgia, malaise, anorexia, and nausea. Within hours, clusters of nonfollicular, superficial 2- to 3-mm pustules may appear in a generalized pattern. The most common sites of involvement are the flexural and anogenital areas
• Pustules may occur on the tongue and subungually, resulting in dysphagia and nail shedding, respectively. These pustules coalesce within 1 day to form lakes of pus that dry and desquamate in sheets, leaving behind a smooth erythematous surface on which new crops of pustules may appear. These episodes of pustulation may occur for days to weeks, thereby causing the patient severe discomfort and exhaustion.
• A telogen effluvium type of hair loss may develop in 2-3 months.
• In erythrodermic psoriasis, most of the skin surface is involved with redness and scaling.
• more information...»

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Psoriasis:

• Overview -- Psoriasis
• Diagnostic Tests for Psoriasis
• Home Diagnostic Testing
• Complications -- Psoriasis
• Doctors & Specialists
• Misdiagnosis and Alternative Diagnoses
• Hidden Causes of Psoriasis
• Other Causes -- causes of these or similar symptoms

Psoriasis: Complications

Review medical complications possibly associated with Psoriasis:

• Psoriatic arthritis - occurs in about 10-15% of psoriasis cases.
• Exfoliative psoriatic dermatitis
• Social embarrassment (see Society problems)
• The generalized pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch may be lethal if proper supportive measures are not taken during the acute phase
• more complications...»

Research More About Psoriasis

Do I have Psoriasis?

• Psoriasis: Introduction
• Psoriasis: Diagnostic Testing to confirm diagnosis
• Home Diagnostic Testing
• Alternative diagnoses and misdiagnosis for Psoriasis
• Hidden Causes of Psoriasis
• Treatments for Psoriasis
• More about Psoriasis

Psoriasis: Medical Mistakes

• Allergies -- Health Mistakes
• Asthma-- Health Mistakes
• Psoriasis -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Psoriasis: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

• Chronic Respiratory Disorders that may be Undiagnosed:
  • Asthma -- Undiagnosed
  • Allergies -- Undiagnosed
  • COPD -- Undiagnosed
  • Emphysema -- Undiagnosed
  • Chronic Bronchitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Lung Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Sinusitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Cystic Fibrosis -- Undiagnosed
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Psoriasis:

• Allergies -- Related Home Tests
  • Home Allergy Testing
  • Home Mold Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Tests
  • Home Radon Tests
  • Home Water Tests
  • Home Lung Function Testing
• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• more home tests...»

Wrongly Diagnosed with Psoriasis?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Psoriasis includes:

• Arthritis - if joint symptoms from psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Nail infection - if there are nail symptoms
• Fungal nail infection
• Diabetes - the skin rash from undiagnosed diabetes can be misdiagnosed as psoriasis or another dermatology condition.
• more diagnoses...»

See the full list of 70 alternative diagnoses for Psoriasis

Psoriasis: Research Doctors & Specialists

• Allergy Specialists:
  • Allergy & Immunology (Allergies & Immune Diseases)
  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (Child Allergies & Immune Diseases)
• Immune-Related Disease Specialists (Immunology):
  • Immunopathology
  • Dermatological Immunology / Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
• Skin Health Specialists (Dermatology):
  • Dermatology (Skin Health Specialists)
  • Dermatopathology
  • Pediatric Dermatology (Child Skin Health)
  • Dermatological Immunology / Diagnostic Laboratory (Skin Allergies)
• Lung Health Specialists (Pulmonologist):
  • Pulmonology (Lung Health Specialists)
  • Pediatric Pulmonology (Child Lung Health)
• more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

More about symptoms of Psoriasis:

More information about symptoms of Psoriasis and related conditions:

• Other diseases with similar symptoms and common misdiagnoses
• Tests to determine if these are the symptoms of Psoriasis
• Symptoms that may be caused by complications of Psoriasis
• Underlying causes of Psoriasis
• Risk factors for Psoriasis

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

• Arm rash - see all causes of Arm rash
• Armpit rash - see all causes of Underarm rash
• Arthritis - see all causes of Arthritis
• Back rash - see all causes of Back rash
• Buttocks rash - see all causes of Buttock rash
• Cracked skin - see all causes of Cracked skin
• Elbow rash - see all causes of Elbow rash
• Emotional distress - see all causes of Emotional symptoms
• Eyebrow rash - see all causes of Eyebrow rash
• Genital region rash - see all causes of Groin rash
• Itching skin - see all causes of Itching skin
• Knee rash - see all causes of Knee rash
• Leg rash - see all causes of Leg rash
• Nail rash - see all causes of Nail symptoms
• Peeling skin - see all causes of Peeling skin
• Recurring attacks of skin rash symptoms - see all causes of Rash
• Red plaques (red scales) - see all causes of Scaly skin
• Restricted joint motion - see all causes of Stiff joints
• Scalp rash - see all causes of Scalp symptoms
• Silvery scales - see all causes of Scaly skin
• Skin blisters - see all causes of Blisters
• Skin inflammation - see all causes of Skin inflammation
• Skin itching - see all causes of Itching skin
• Skin pain - see all causes of Skin pain
• Skin rash - see all causes of Rash
• Skin symptoms - see all causes of Skin symptoms
• Small red patches - see all causes of Redness
• Split nails - see all causes of Nail symptoms
• Thickening nails - see all causes of Nail symptoms
• Trunk rash - see all causes of Rash

Medical Books Online about Psoriasis

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Psoriasis are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Psoriasis.

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Related videos for Psoriasis

Patient Surveys for Psoriasis

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• Survey about the symptoms of your Psoriasis
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Symptoms of Psoriasis: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Psoriasis.

Psoriasis: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The most common complaint of the patient with psoriasis is itching and, occasionally, pain from dry, cracked, encrusted lesions. Psoriatic lesions are erythematous and usually form well-defined plaques, sometimes covering large areas of the body. (See Psoriatic plaques.) Such lesions most commonly appear on the scalp, chest, elbows, knees, shins, back, and buttocks. The plaques consist of characteristic silver scales that either flake off easily or can thicken, covering the lesion. Removal of psoriatic scales frequently produces fine bleeding points (Auspitz sign). Occasionally, small guttate lesions appear, either alone or with plaques; these lesions are typically thin and erythematous, with few scales.

Widespread shedding of scales is common in exfoliative or erythrodermic psoriasis and may also develop in chronic psoriasis.

Rarely, psoriasis becomes pustular, taking one of two forms. In localized pustular (Barber’s) psoriasis, pustules appear on the palms and soles and remain sterile until opened. In generalized pustular (von Zumbusch’s) psoriasis, which often occurs with fever, leukocytosis, and malaise, groups of pustules coalesce to form lakes of pus on red skin. These pustules also remain sterile until opened and commonly involve the tongue and oral mucosa.

In about 30% of patients, psoriasis spreads to the fingernails, producing small indentations and yellow or brown discoloration. In severe cases, the accumulation of thick, crumbly debris under the nail, causes it to separate from the nail bed.

Some patients with psoriasis develop arthritic symptoms (psoriatic arthritis), usually in one or more joints of the fingers or toes, or sometimes in the sacroiliac joints, which may progress to spondylitis. Such patients may complain of morning stiffness. Joint symptoms show no consistent linkage to the course of the cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis; they demonstrate remissions and exacerbations similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Psoriasis: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

The most common complaint of the patient with psoriasis is itching and occasional pain from dry, cracked, encrusted lesions.

Plaques

Psoriatic lesions are erythematous and usually form well-defined plaques, sometimes covering large areas of the body. (See Viewing psoriasis.) Such lesions usually appear on the scalp, chest, elbows, knees, back, and buttocks.

The plaques consist of characteristic silver scales that either flake off easily or can thicken, covering the lesion. Removal of psoriatic scales typically produces fine bleeding points (Auspitz sign). Occasionally, small guttate lesions appear, either alone or with plaques; these lesions are typically thin and erythematous, with few scales.

Widespread involvement of scales and erythema is called exfoliative or erythrodermic psoriasis. In about 60% of patients, psoriasis spreads to the fingernails, producing small indentations or pits and yellow or brown discoloration. In some cases, the accumulation of thick, crumbly debris under the nail causes it to separate from the nail-bed (onycholysis).

Pustular psoriasis

Rarely, psoriasis becomes pustular, taking one of two forms. In localized pustular psoriasis, pustules appear on the palms and soles and remain sterile until opened. In generalized pustular (Von Zumbusch) psoriasis, which commonly occurs with fever, leukocytosis, and malaise, groups of pustules coalesce to form lakes of pus on red skin. These pustules also remain sterile until opened and commonly involve the tongue and oral mucosa.

Arthritic symptoms

Some patients with psoriasis develop arthritic symptoms, usually in one or more joints of the fingers or toes, in the larger joints, or sometimes in the sacroiliac joints, which may progress to spondylitis. Such patients may complain of morning stiffness. Joint symptoms show no consistent linkage to the course of the cutaneus manifestations of psoriasis; they demonstrate remissions and exacerbations similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Psoriasis: Psoriasis - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

• Thick, flaky scales on skin
• In psoriasis vulgaris, sharply demarcated erythematous plaques with white scale are located most commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, lumbar area, and umbilicus, but they can cover any surface and large areas of the body. Intertriginous regions are often involved, but scale is absent.
• Guttate psoriasis is a form that more often presents in children and young adults as small papules (0.5–1.5 cm), with limited scale over the trunk and proximal extremities, and is frequently associated with streptococcal infection.
• Erythema with variable scale involving the majority of the body accompanied by chills is characteristic of erythrodermic psoriasis.
• Generalized pustular psoriasis is the most serious variant, with sterile pustules as large as 23 mm arising on erythematous skin over large areas of the body. Usually such appearance is accompanied by high fever.
• A chronic and localized variant of pustular disease, however, involves only the palms and soles.
  • Note: Classic plaque psoriasis is easily diagnosed, but variants and less virulent cases require careful examination for physical clues.
• Nails are frequently involved, with pinpoint pits, hyperkeratosis, and oil spots.
• Areas where disease is hidden are the retroauricular portion of the scalp and the perianal region.
• Swollen or deformed joints suggest associated psoriatic arthritis.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Psoriasis:

Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS (Excerpt)

People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and emotional distress.

In its most typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch and may burn. The skin at the joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet but it can affect any skin site. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitalia. About 15 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces arthritis symptoms. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS)

Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS (Excerpt)

People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flareups include changes in climate, infections, stress, and dry skin. Also, certain medicines, most notably beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and lithium or drugs used to treat depression, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS)

Psoriasis: NWHIC (Excerpt)

When psoriasis develops, patches of skin thicken, redden, and become covered with silvery scales. These patches are sometimes referred to as plaques. They may itch or burn. The skin at joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. The disease also may affect the fingernails, toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitaliAbout 10 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis. (Source: excerpt from Psoriasis: NWHIC)

Psoriasis as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Psoriasis, it is also important to consider Psoriasis as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Psoriasis may cause:

• Acanthosis
• Acroosteolysis
• Alopecia
• Dactylitis
• Dry skin
• Eosinophilia
• Erythema
• Hyperkeratosis
• Koebner phenomenon
• Nail pitting
• Nappy rash
• Onycholysis
• Parakeratosis
• Pruritus
• Ridged nails
• Sacroiliitis
• Subungual hyperkeratosis
• Uric acid levels raised (plasma or serum)

Psoriasis: Onset and Incubation

Onset of Psoriasis: usually 50-60 years of age

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

• Diagnostic Testing for a Diagnosis of Psoriasis
• Research Alternative Diagnoses for Psoriasis
• More about Psoriasis
• Online Diagnosis
• Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
• Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis
• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Lesser known silent killer diseases
• Books on signs and symptoms

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Psoriasis:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Psoriasis. This signs and symptoms information for Psoriasis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Psoriasis signs or Psoriasis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Psoriasis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Psoriasis symptoms.