Plaque psoriasis
 Plaque psoriasis is the most typical form of this
skin condition - 4 out of 5 people with psoriasis have
plaque psoriasis. The technical or scientific name for plaque
psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris (vulgaris means "common"). Typically it is characterized
by patches on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but
it can be found on any area of the skin.
Plaque psoriasis may first appear as small red spots. They
may enlarge gradually into well-defined patches of red, raised
skin referred to as either psoriatic "plaques"
or "lesions". They are covered by a flaky, silvery-white
build-up called "scale," which is composed of
dead skin cells. This scale comes loose and sheds constantly
from the plaque surface.
Skin affected with psoriasis is generally very dry, and other
possible symptoms include skin pain, itching and cracking.
What does plaque psoriasis look like?
This type of psoriasis is most typically characterized by
circular-to-oval red plaques distributed over extensor body
surfaces and the scalp. The plaques usually exhibit scaling
as a result of epidermal hyperproliferation and dermal inflammation.
The extent and duration of the disease is highly variable
from patient to patient, and up to 10% of patients with plaque
psoriasis also experience psoriatic arthritis. Acute
flares or relapses of plaque psoriasis may also evolve into
more severe disease, such as pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis.
The less common forms of psoriasis are guttate, pustular, inverse and erythrodermic.
It is easier to discuss your psoriasis and evaluate your treatment
choices if you refer to it by its specific name. Treatments
vary with the type and severity of psoriasis.
Uncommon subtypes of chronic plaque psoriasis include:
- Rupioid psoriasis: Limpet-like cone-shaped lesions
of psoriasis.
- Lichenified psoriasis: Chronically rubbed areas
of psoriasis that have become very thickened.
- Elephantine psoriasis: Very persistent, very
thickly scaled, large areas of psoriasis.
- Ostraceous psoriasis: Very thickly scaled, ring-like
areas of psoriasis, resembling an oyster shell.
- Linear psoriasis: Psoriasis arranged in lines
along the body (often corresponding to fetal developmental
lines).
- Photosensitive psoriasis: Psoriasis worst in
the sun-exposed areas of the face, neck, hands and forearms.
Most patients with psoriasis find ultraviolet light very
helpful for their psoriasis. A small group experience exacerbations
of their rash following sun exposure. In these people sometimes
clear "sunburn" lines are seen. They may also
have typical plaque psoriasis elsewhere. Strict sun protection,
usually in combination with other treatment, is required
to control this type of psoriasis.
Principal Authors: DermaHarmony Editorial
Staff
Date of Publication: 03/13/2004
Updated: 02/11/2008
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