5 Common Signs of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects about eight million women, men, and children in the United States alone, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. The inflammation occurs because your immune system has become overactive.

If you have psoriasis, your overactive immune system kicks your skin-cell production into high gear. Instead of creating and shedding new skin cells on a monthly cycle, you start to produce new skin cells every three to four days. However, the old skin cells don’t shed. Instead, the new cells build up under the old ones, forming reddish welts or silvery plaques.

At Specialists in Dermatology, our dermatologists expertly diagnose and treat psoriasis, so you can feel better about — and in — your skin. Help starts with a diagnosis. 

Do you think you might have psoriasis? Following are five signs that you might. 

1. You have raised, silvery patches on your skin.

The build-up of dead skin cells that’s characteristic of psoriasis can cause raised areas of thickened skin called plaques. These plaques may be covered with a silvery coating of dead skin, called scale.

Lesions like these suggest that you have a type of psoriasis known as “plaque psoriasis.” Almost everyone (80-90%) who has psoriasis has plaque psoriasis. 

2. Your skin’s covered with pink dots.

Another form of psoriasis — guttate psoriasis — is characterized by a sudden onset of tiny, raised pink or salmon-colored bumps. Although guttate psoriasis usually clears spontaneously after a few weeks, never to return again, in rare cases it becomes chronic.

Guttate psoriasis tends to affect children and young adults, but can strike at any age. It also usually first appears after an infection, such as strep throat.

3. Your nails look infected or damaged.

Psoriasis doesn’t just affect the skin. It can affect your fingernails and toenails, too. You might notice changes to your nails, such as:

Usually about half of people with psoriasis develop nail psoriasis, too. 

4. You get red, painful rashes where skin meets skin.

Inverse psoriasis appears in the folds of your skin and usually worsens when you sweat in those areas or if the rash is exposed to friction. Common places for inverse psoriasis are:

Inverse psoriasis may be triggered by a fungal infection.

5. You have rashes and your joints hurt.

An overactive immune system can attack your joints as well as your skin. About a third of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes red, swollen, and painful joints.

More severe types of psoriasis manifest as pus-filled lesions on the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, or even your entire body. Another form of psoriasis can cover your body with a painful, red, peeling rash that feels like you’ve been burned. Contact us immediately if you have major skin changes or skin pain.

Instead of suffering in silence with psoriasis, or covering up your plaques and rashes with clothing, contact Specialists in Dermatology in Houston, Texas, or The Woodlands, Texas for relief today. Phone the office nearest you, or use our online form.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Should I Have All of My Moles Removed?

If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, each mole may make you anxious. Will it begin to change and become cancerous? Should you remove all your moles now, as a precaution, or just the ones that are most likely to change?

How Does Mohs Surgery Work?

If you’re diagnosed with skin cancer, your best bet for a cure may be a simple, in-office, highly specialized procedure called Mohs surgery. What is Mohs surgery, how does it work, and why should you ask your doctor about it? Find out here.

My Acne Is Embarrassing: Can You Help?

You want to put your best face forward, but how can you do that when you have a huge zit on the tip of your nose? Or your entire face has broken out in pimples? Acne can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to hide. There’s help.

What Does a Skin Cancer Screening Involve?

You’re aware that skin cancer is on the rise. Even though you use sunscreen now, you weren’t always so diligent. You worry that you’re at risk and consider getting a skin cancer screening. What happens? Do you have to prepare?

3 Advantages of Choosing Dysport® to Reduce Wrinkles

Whether you’ve used Botox® to tame wrinkles in your upper face, or you’re just considering it, another neuromodulator called Dysport® can also help. Does Dysport have advantages over Botox that might make it a better choice? It does.

Why Restylane Could Be the Filler for You

If you experience “choice paralysis” when faced with the many aesthetic treatments that rejuvenate and recontour your face, we make things simple for you. Restylane® is long-lasting dermal filler that adds volume and shape … wherever you want it.