Get to know more about plaque psoriasis
It’s important to know as much as you can about your condition.
That includes understanding your signs and symptoms and how plaque psoriasis may affect you.
Did you know that about 1 in 3 people with plaque psoriasis may also
develop psoriatic arthritis?*
Knowing more can give you the confidence to speak with your doctor about your condition and treatment options.
*In a medical study, 3 out of 10 patients with plaque psoriasis developed psoriatic arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disease Basics
It may appear as raised flaky red or white scaly patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, or scales on lighter skin tones. However, on darker skin tones, the plaques are thicker and darker, possibly presenting as purple, gray, or brown plaques.
Plaque psoriasis can look and feel different for different people, depending on its severity, but you may notice your skin being itchy and painful, and cracking. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to let your doctor know.
These patches or plaques most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows, lower back, and difficult-to-treat areas, such as nails, palms, and soles.
125 million people worldwide have psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type, affecting up to 80 percent of those with psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis can appear at any age, but typically happens during two different time periods. The first is between ages 20 and 30, the second between ages 50 and 60.
Plaque psoriasis is likely to be under-diagnosed among African Americans and other people of color. Plaques appear different on different skin tones.
We know that an overactive immune system, environmental factors, and family history can all play a role. However, the exact cause of plaque psoriasis is unknown. The immune system speeds up, which causes inflammation and a large number of skin cells to grow. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming the psoriasis plaques.
No one knows how to cure it yet, but there are several treatment options that may help. Talk with your doctor to see which treatment option may be right for you.
About 30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). So, if you have psoriasis, and are experiencing joint pain, you may have PsA. Speak to your doctor to learn more.
Find a nearby doctor who treats plaque psoriasis
Have more questions about plaque psoriasis? Use this Healthgrades™ tool to find nearby dermatologists with experience in treating adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO).
