Psoriasis - Common Types

1. Plaque psoriasis - aka psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common type affecting 80 to 90%  psoriasis sufferers. This type  appears in the form of raised surfaces of inflamed skin -covered with grey- white  skin. These skin surfaces are reffered to as plaques.

2. Flexural psoriasis - aka inverse psoriasis,  appears as smooth (inflamed)” patches” of skin. Usually seen around the genitals, armpits,  under breasts and so on.  Worsens with continuous friction and humidity.

3. Guttate psoriasis - appears as  tiny rounded spots over large areas of the person’s skin. This type is associated with streptococcal throat infection.

4. Pustular psoriasis - raised bumps filled with pustules. The skin surrounding the pustules is red and itchy.

5. Psoriasis of a fingernail - causes discoloring under the nail plates, pitting of the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and sometimes even nail lifting (onycholysis).

6. Psoriatic arthritis causes connective tissue inflammation.  Very common in the joints of the finger.  This may sometimes cause sausage-shaped swelling of the fingers (dactylitis). This type may also affect knees, hips and spine.

7. Erythrodermic psoriasis - A massive inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body. Commonly caused by an exacerbation of  plaque psoriasis, (usually after treatment is stopped or paused).  This type is potentially fatal since it makes it hard for the body to regulate heat levels.