Psoriasis is a chronic disease that lasts a lifetime, and the signs and symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the person and type of psoriasis.
For some people, psoriasis symptoms can clear up for months or years at a time. This is known as remission. (1)
Common symptoms of psoriasis include:
Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas.
Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a time or even going into complete remission.
If you have plaque psoriasis, one of the most common symptoms is raised, red patches of skin that are covered with a silvery scale. These patches are known as plaques. The following are signs that you may have plaque psoriasis:
This type of psoriasis may clear up without any treatment, but it sometimes requires medical attention. It may appear for a single episode, typically following an illness like strep throat, or it may signal the start of plaque psoriasis.
The typical symptoms of guttate psoriasis include:
When pus-filled bumps cover the body, you may have bright-red skin and feel ill, exhausted, have a fever, chills, severe itching, rapid pulse, loss of appetite, or muscle weakness.
Inverse psoriasis, also known as flexural psoriasis, is a type of psoriasis that forms in the body's skin folds, such as the armpits, genitals, and under the breasts. (5) It is the inverse of the more common plaque psoriasis, which occurs on the outer, extensor surfaces of the body, such as the knees and elbows.
Inverse psoriasis occurs in 2 to 6 percent of people with psoriasis, usually alongside some other form of the condition. It can be one of the most painful and irritating forms of the disease.
The symptoms of inverse psoriasis include:
Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare type of psoriasis, diagnosed in roughly 3 percent of people with the disease. (6) It is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body, and it can occur in association with pustular psoriasis. Its symptoms include:
Most of the time, your physician can diagnose psoriasis by taking your medical history and examining your skin, scalp, and nails.
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be done to determine the type of psoriasis, and to rule out other disorders that look similar to psoriasis, such as dyshidrotic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, ringworm, and pityriasis rosea.
Having psoriasis could put you at risk for developing other medical conditions. (7)
Your skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, providing hydration, and protecting against infection.
When skin disorders such as psoriasis affect the body, certain changes take place that may lead to additional problems.
Doctors aren’t sure if the risk of developing other conditions is solely related to the disease itself or if psoriasis treatment also plays a role.
According to the NPF, about 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, which is a form of psoriasis that affects the joints. (8)
People with psoriatic arthritis suffer from painful, swollen joints and other symptoms.
You can develop psoriatic arthritis any time, but it most commonly appears between age 30 and 50.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can increase your risk of developing the following health problems:
Cancer People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. In a study published in March 2016 the journal JAMA Dermatology, researchers found that while overall cancer risk is low, people with psoriasis had a 34 percent increased chance of developing lymphoma, a 15 percent increased chance of developing lung cancer, and a 12 percent increased chance of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer. (9) Still, the authors note that further work is needed to determine what role psoriasis has on the development of these cancers versus the medication the patients took to treat the skin condition.
Cardiovascular Disease You’re more likely to have this condition if you have severe forms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. In fact, individuals with severe psoriasis are 58 percent more likely to have a major cardiac event and 43 percent more likely to have a stroke, according to the NPF. (10) Some research shows that treating psoriasis may help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Celiac Disease This autoimmune disorder causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. A study published in 2010 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that more than a third of people with psoriasis have elevated antibodies to gliadin in their blood. (11) (Gliadin is the protein in wheat that cannot be properly digested by people who have celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.)
Crohn’s Disease This chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract has been linked to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. According to a study published in July 2013 in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Disease, 10 percent of women with psoriasis developed a type of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Those who had both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were at an even greater risk of having Crohn’s. (12)
Depression Having psoriasis can lead to emotional issues, such as low self-esteem and depression. A study published in May 2014 in the Journal of Rheumatology found that having psoriatic arthritis may put you at a greater risk for depression than having psoriasis only. (13) The good news is that treating your psoriasis symptoms may help improve depression.
Diabetes According to a study published in January 2015 in the journal Clinical Diabetes, people with severe psoriasis are 30 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes — a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels — and approximately 9 percent of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have psoriasis. (14) Tell your doctor if you experience any symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which may include hunger, increased thirst, blurred vision, or fatigue.
Eye Diseases Certain eye conditions are more common in people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These may include conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye), uveitis (an inflammatory disease of the eye), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid). An estimated 7 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis will develop uveitis. (15)
Hearing Problems People with psoriatic diseases may be at an increased risk for developing hearing difficulties. A study published in October 2014 in the Journal of Rheumatology found more than 31 percent of individuals with psoriatic arthritis experienced hearing loss. (16)
High Blood Pressure Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis could increase your risk of having high blood pressure. If blood pressure is uncontrolled, it can lead to coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, or kidney failure.
Kidney Disease People with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease. A study published in 2013 in the journal BMJ found participants with severe psoriasis are twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease as those who had mild psoriasis or no psoriasis. (17)
Liver Problems People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may have an increased risk for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition where too much fat is stored in liver cells. (10)
Obesity Experts aren’t sure exactly why, but obesity is strongly associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Some research suggests that it’s the psoriasis that could lead to obesity, while other studies have shown people who are obese are more likely to develop certain forms of psoriasis. (10) Losing weight may help improve psoriasis symptoms.
Additional reporting by George Vernadakis