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Understanding Psoriasis: Information, Symptoms, and Treatment
The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment
Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
The symptoms of psoriasis include:
- Patches of itchy, scaly skin on the scalp, knees, elbows, and upper body. These deep-pink, raised patches of skin have white scales.
- Psoriasis on fingernails and toenails can make the nails become thick, pitted, and discolored; nails may separate from underlying skin.
- Red, scaly, cracked skin with tiny pustules on the palms of the hands; you may have palmar psoriasis.
- Red, cracked skin with tiny pustules on the soles of the feet; you may have plantar psoriasis.
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:
- Stiffness, pain, and tenderness of the joints.
- Reduced range of motion.
- Nail changes, such as pitting, which is found in up to 80% of people with psoriatic arthritis.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your psoriasis becomes worse after you stop taking heavy doses of corticosteroid for this or another ailment. You may need a different course of medical treatment.
- Your skin inflammation does not respond to any form of treatment; you need to be checked for the possibility of a more serious underlying ailment.
The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment
