Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has an autoimmune nature. There are more than 10 forms of psoriasis. As a rule, a person has only one type of disease, which is determined by the nature of the rash. In this article, we will tell you about the types of psoriasis and what psoriasis looks like in a photo.
Plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris, psoriasis vulgaris, simple psoriasis is the most common form of pathology, it is observed in 80% of patients. The disease begins with the appearance of small patches of red, hot, dry swollen skin. The inflammation gradually increases in size, an easily exfoliating gray-white scaly film (plaque) appears on it, removing which, you can see the injured bleeding skin. Psoriatic plaques often merge with neighboring ones, forming the so-called paraffin lakes. Plaque psoriasis can affect any part of the body: head, hands, elbows and knees, nails, feet, legs, genitals.
Guttate psoriasis is observed in every 10th patient, characterized by the appearance of a large number of small red, purple and even bluish rashes raised above healthy skin. The dry rash is shaped like tears or drops (hence the name). Guttate psoriasis often occurs as a complication after a streptococcal infection of the ENT organs (tonsillitis, pharyngitis). The disease affects in most cases the hips, it can also be observed on the legs, neck, back, shoulders and forearms, scalp.
Spotted psoriasis is a severe form of guttate psoriasis. Manifested by large locations of damaged skin throughout the body. It is first diagnosed in childhood or in very young people. Women get patchy psoriasis more often than men.
Pustular psoriasis, or exudative, (Barber’s disease, Zumbusch ‘s disease ) is the most severe of the skin forms of psoriasis, can occur as a reaction to medication or a stressful situation. It is a blisters or vesicles (pustule) filled with uninfected transparent interstitial fluid (exudate). The pustules are surrounded by red, inflamed, hot skin that easily flakes off when mechanically applied. If an infection penetrates the pustules, pus appears in the exudate. Most often, pustular psoriasis occurs on the legs and forearms. In severe cases, the rash can spread to the entire body, and the pustules can merge with each other.
Follicular psoriasis affects the mouth of the hairline on the shins and thighs. The rash is small light papules with a depression in the middle. This form of the disease is quite rare.
Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces is a smooth shiny red spots raised above the surface of the skin, located exclusively in its folds: in the groin, under the mammary glands, under the abdomen with abdominal obesity, on the inner thighs, in the armpits. Due to frequent trauma to the skin in these areas (rubbing, shaving, sweating), there is a risk of a fungal infection.
Palmar-plantar psoriasis most often affects people 30-50 years old, engaged in physical labor. The disease can manifest itself either in the form of ordinary psoriatic plaques and papules, or in the form of hyperkeratotic formations simulating calluses and calluses. In some cases, psoriasis on the arms or legs is continuous, which manifests itself in the form of increased thickening or keratinization. The boundaries of this type of lesion are characterized by clarity, in more rare cases, this form of psoriasis is limited to the appearance of large ring -shaped peeling.
Nail psoriasis ( psoriatic onychodystrophy ) is often found in patients with psoriatic rashes on the palms, hands, feet, soles, fingers and toes. The disease changes the appearance of nails: dots appear on them, as if squeezed out by a needle, transverse and longitudinal grooves, spots. The color of the nails acquires a yellow or gray tint, the skin under the nails and around them thickens and flakes, the plate itself also thickens and exfoliates. In a severe form of the disease, there may be a complete death of the nail plate.
Psoriasis of the scalp is one of the most common forms of
this disease. Clinical signs of pathology are red scaly spots covering the
scalp, inflammation, itching.
Psoriasis on the head does not pose a significant threat to health, but it
often provokes the development of psychological complexes and even causes
social isolation due to an unaesthetic appearance: after all, this part of the
body is always in sight, and unattractive crusts cannot be hidden from others.
The disease can occur in people of any age group, but is more common in young
people.
Seborrheic psoriasis is a disease similar in pathogenesis to seborrheic eczema. Most often, it affects the scalp, as well as the skin behind the auricles, nasolabial folds, chest, and the area between the shoulder blades. The foci of seborrheic psoriasis of the scalp are separate areas with severe peeling, which pass from the forehead to the scalp and form the so-called psoriatic crown. In the area of the auricles, the disease manifests itself in the form of red eczema with purulent crusts, which often crack. On the face and other areas of the skin, the disease is characterized by patchy rashes with characteristic psoriatic scales.
The erythrodermic form refers to a severe variety of psoriasis. A large surface of the skin is affected, the skin can come off in layers, the temperature rises, the patient experiences severe pain. Inflammation accompanies intense itching, swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This form can occur as an exacerbation of plaque psoriasis vulgaris , especially with abrupt withdrawal of treatment. Also , erythrodermic psoriasis can be the result of infectious diseases, severe stress, or poisoning with toxins (including alcohol). Psoriatic erythroderma is dangerous by infection of injured areas and the development of pyoderma (purulent skin lesions) throughout the body. In the most severe cases, the disease can be fatal. With timely treatment , erythrodermic psoriasis turns into a simple form.
Arthropathic psoriasis ( psoriatic arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy ) is also a severe form of the disease, in which not only the skin is affected, but also the connective tissue and, in the early stages, the small joints of the hands and feet. In this case, the fingers and toes swell, their movements are constrained and accompanied by pain. A more severe form of the disease affects the hip, knee, shoulder, shoulder, and spinal joints, which can lead to disability. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 10-15% of people with another form of psoriasis.