What is plaque psoriasis?
Does gluttate psoriasis clear up?
What does the term 'pustular psoriasis' mean?
What is erythrodermic psoriasis?
Is psoriasis in babies common?
How common is linear psoriasis?
Is psoriasis of the scalp common?
How does psoriasis affect the nails?
How does psoriatic arthritis affect the body?
 What is plaque psoriasis?
This is the most common type of psoriasis. The individual plaques are very red and covered with silvery-white scales. These can be very itchy and if scratched or scraped they may bleed easily.The plaques usually have a well-defined edge and, while they can appear anywhere on the body, the most commonly affected areas are the scalp, knees and elbows. The face is rarely affected. However, if the scalp is involved, you may develop psoriasis on the hairline and forehead.The actual appearance of the plaques can depend on where they are found on the body. Plaques found on the palms and soles can be scaly, however they may not be very red in colour. This is due to the thickness of the skin at these sites.
If the plaques are in moist areas, such as in the creases of the armpits or between the buttocks, there is usually little or no scaling. The patches are red and have a well-defined border.
Does gluttate psoriasis clear up?
Gluttate psoriasis is most commonly found in children and young adults. It often follows a severe sore throat or tonsillitis caused by a streptococcal infection.
A week or two after the sore throat, very small drop-like patches appear on the trunk and the limbs and can vary in size and shape. Guttate psoriasis sometimes disappears spontaneously after six to eight weeks. In other cases, treatment may be necessary, however the outlook is excellent.
 What does the term 'pustular psoriasis' mean?
This type of psoriasis usually appears as a large red area covered with yellow-green pustules. They tend to be one to two millimetres in diameter and are quite tender.
The yellow colour is caused by masses of white blood cells (polymorph leucocytes), which flood into any part of the skin that is damaged or infected, in order to fight infection and aid recovery.
After seven to 10 days, the pustules become dispersed and a brown scale appears. This scale will start to shed as new pustules develop in other areas, often in a continuous cycle.
The most common type of pustular psoriasis affects the palms and soles. It isn't normally itchy however it can be sore or uncomfortable to use either your hands or feet, for example if you are writing or walking.
The most severe type of pustular psoriasis is called generalised pustular psoriasis. This is a life-threatening condition which requires hospital admission.
With generalised pustular psoriasis, the person becomes ill and feverish. There is also a very sudden onset of tiny pustules all over the skin.
This can occur in people who already have psoriasis or in people who have never had it. Fortunately, while it is the most severe type, it is also the rarest.
What is erythrodermic psoriasis?
This type of psoriasis, which involves redness, inflammation and psoriasis involves at least 80% of the skin surface. It can be serious, even life-threatening, in older people. Fortunately, however, it is rare.
The skin becomes red and hot and there is continual scaling. The person affected loses the ability to control their body temperature. As a result, they lose heat, body fluids and protein.
Hospital admission is necessary.
Is psoriasis in babies common?
Thankfully psoriasis in babies is rare. It occasionally occurs in the nappy area in the form of a red rash with a well-defined border. This is also known as napkin psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis is also quite common in babies who get napkin psoriasis. Some babies can develop plaque psoriasis on their elbows and knees.
(Please note that rashes in the nappy area are common due to such things as eczema or the irritant effect of urine on the skin. Therefore, in most cases, a rash will turn out to be something other than psoriasis).
How common is linear psoriasis?
This is a very rare form of psoriasis, with probably less than a handful of cases in Ireland. It is an unusual phenomenon and is not usually present in patients with ordinary plaque psoriasis. Linear psoriasis is also known as naevoid psoriasis.
 Is psoriasis of the scalp common?
Psoriasis on the scalp is common and, in many cases, it is the only area affected. It usually consists of red, scaly patches that are sometimes lumpy. The edge of the patch tends to be well defined. This type of psoriasis can extend beyond the hairline, onto the forehead.
Psoriasis of the scalp does not damage the hair follicle and is not associated with alopecia (hair loss), but if the scale is thick and forms hard lumps, it can lead to temporary hair thinning. However, this is not permanent and will grow back again after the psoriasis clears.
How does psoriasis affect the nails?
Psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails is common but can be very difficult to treat. The nails may start to separate from the nail bed in a process known as onycholysis. During this process, the nail becomes whitish in appearance. Sometimes it becomes so badly damaged that it starts to crumble.
How does psoriatic arthritis affect the body?
When psoriasis and arthritis occur together, it is known as psoriatic arthritis. (Arthritis is not a single disorder but rather the name for joint disease from a number of causes. Arthritic disease causes painful inflammation of one or several joints, with the inflammation destroying the cartilage in the joints.)
Psoriatic arthritis is more common in women than in men and usually develops between the ages of 40 and 60.
With this condition, the psoriasis develops before the arthritis in approximately two-thirds of cases. Arthritis develops before psoriasis in around 19% of cases and the two occur together in around 15% of cases.
The most easily recognisable form of psoriatic arthritis affects the joints of the fingers and toes.
Psoriatic arthritis is usually less painful than rheumatoid arthritis. It also usually causes less disability.
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