How to Tell the Difference Between Inverse Psoriasis and Jock Itch

From healthcentral.com

These two skin conditions can cause considerable discomfort, but their triggers and treatments are not the same 

Key Takeaways

• Jock itch is a contagious fungal infection, while inverse psoriasis is a noncontagious immune-related condition.
• Inverse psoriasis often looks smooth, shiny, and red in skin folds, while jock itch is scaly and ring-shaped.
• Jock itch is triggered by heat, moisture, and contact with infected people or surfaces, including shared towels.
• Jock itch is often treated with antifungal creams and keeping the area cool and dry; psoriasis needs different medications.
• See a dermatologist if groin itching persists or doesn’t improve after two to three weeks of antifungal treatment.

An itch below the belt is never a comfortable feeling, but deducing what’s causing it can sometimes take a little sleuth work. Both inverse psoriasis and jock itch can occur in the genital area and cause extreme discomfort. But despite a shared sensation of itch and pain, there are big differences between the two conditions, including how they are treated. We asked top dermatologists how to differentiate between jock itch and psoriasis, plus how to get them both under control.

What Is Jock Itch?

“Jock itch is caused by the same fungal infection that causes athlete’s foot or ringworm,” says Chris Sayed, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. This infection (no worm is involved) is very common and can occur anywhere on your body, he adds.

Your risk of getting the fungal infection that causes jock itch increases in hot and humid weather. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, if you have a ringworm infection in the groin area, it may first appear as a red (brown or grey in dark skin) rash with swelling and itch in the crease where the leg meets the body. The infected skin often feels scaly with a raised border and sometimes appears as a roundish patch. Jock itch is contagious and commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact or an infected surface or shared towel.

What Is Inverse Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is also a skin condition that can show up anywhere on the body, including in the genital area. The cause of psoriasis is not known exactly, but experts believe it has to do with an overactive immune system due to a complex interplay between genetics (it tends to run in families), environment (cold and dry weather can be a trigger for example), and lifestyle choices (such as smoking).

Inverse and plaque psoriasis are the two most common types of the skin condition you may see in the genital area. About one in three people with psoriasis develop inverse psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, inverse psoriasis appears as bright red lesions in body folds (purple-ish, brown, or darker in dark skin) and may appear smooth and shiny. Psoriasis is not contagious—you can’t catch it from another person, regardless of the severity of the condition.

Inverse Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch

While psoriasis and jock itch can both cause redness, itch, and discomfort, there are a few key differences between these two conditions. Psoriasis is a chronic, whole-body disease related to irregularities in the immune system that can lead to other more serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While psoriasis symptoms can be managed, there is no cure for the condition.

Jock itch is a temporary condition, caused by a fungus that has invaded the outer layer of the skin. Jock itch is contagious, while psoriasis is not. Jock itch is also more common in men than women, with men being three times more likely to get jock itch than women. It is also rare for a child to have jock itch.

Psoriasis occurs fairly equally between the two genders, according to the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. Psoriasis is more common in children—every year, 20,000 children under 10 are diagnosed with psoriasis. Given their vastly different origins, different treatments are also required for each condition.

Symptoms of Inverse Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch

Despite their shared itchy, painful presentation, psoriasis and ringworm infections have symptoms that are unique to each. Knowing what they are can help you identify which one you might be dealing with. (Always see your dermatologist for an official diagnosis.)

Symptoms of inverse psoriasis include:

• Shiny, smooth, discoloured (brown, pink, purple or red) rash

• Cracks in your skin creases

• Itchiness

• Moist patch of skin

Symptoms of jock itch include:

• Burning and itching

• Skin irritation and colour changes

• Scales and flakes

• May appear in the shape of a ring

Triggers of Inverse Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch

Because psoriasis is a chronic, systemic condition, while jock itch is a temporary situation, they are typically triggered by different things. In both cases, however, the environment can play a role.

Triggers of inverse psoriasis include:

• Dysregulated lipid metabolism

• Dysregulated sex hormones

• Imbalance of skin and gut microbiota

• Lifestyle

• Medications

• Psychological stress

• Skin trauma

• Weather

Triggers of jock itch include:

• Contact with an infected surface or clothing

• Having ringworm on another body part

• Sexual contact with an infected person

• Tight pants or underwear

• Warm and moist environment

Treatments for Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch

Jock itch typically doesn’t go away on its own but there are treatments available. “Jock itch can often be treated over the counter with antifungal creams,” says Dr. Sayed. If the jock itch does not get better, you may need prescription-strength creams, ointments or pills, or a combination of these products, according to the Mayo Clinic. Keeping the area as cool and as dry as possible is also an important part of the treatment.

Psoriasis treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. If the inverse psoriasis is mild, your doctor may recommend a steroid cream that you apply at home as directed. For harder to treat inverse psoriasis in and around the genitals, your doctor may recommend a systemic medication, meaning treatment that works throughout your body to regulate your immune system. These medications may come in a pill that you take orally, or in an injection that you administer at home or in a doctor’s office.

Can You Prevent Psoriasis and Jock Itch?

The sort-of good news: Jock itch can be prevented, and psoriasis—while not preventable—can be controlled, says Shoko Mori, M.D., a dermatologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“Tinea cruris, or jock itch, can be brought on by heat and humidity, so trying to minimize sweat and moisture in the groin area can be helpful,” Dr. Mori says. “Patients with a fungal skin infection of the feet, also called athlete’s foot, or the nails can unknowingly spread the infection to their groin area, causing jock itch, so it is also important to treat the infection if it is present elsewhere on the body.”

Meanwhile, although psoriasis cannot be prevented, “there are many treatment options, so seeing a board-certified dermatologist to evaluate any rash in the groin area is very important,” he says.

When to See a Doctor

It can be tricky to know when to see your doctor for either condition, but according to Dr. Sayed, if the itch doesn’t improve in a few weeks, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your provider.

“When you are uncertain about a rash, or a rash you thought to be jock itch hasn’t improved within two to three weeks of an antifungal cream, it is worth having it evaluated with some simple diagnostic tests in the clinic,” he says. “It’s important to make sure something like inverse or genital psoriasis isn’t being missed.”

Outlook

Tinea cruris, or “jock itch” and inverse psoriasis can look very similar—they can both be itchy, red, and uncomfortable,” says Dr. Mori. However, important differences in treatment make it mission critical to tell them apart.

Jock itch is a temporary, fungal condition that needs a different type of treatment than psoriasis. A whole-body, inflammatory disorder, psoriasis requires a treatment that can bring down an overactive immune system. Sometimes this is a steroid cream, but depending on the severity, it could be a pill or injection. A dermatologist can help you determine the cause of your discomfort and recommend treatment that can get you quickly and comfortably back in the game.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/inverse-psoriasis-vs-jock-itch?ap=nl2060&rhid=67ec2b8321f52bf01b0cca01&mui=&lid=141093361&mkt_tok=NTQxLUdLWi0yNDMAAAGib7UVZnvbCyR54YmslVlGt-iufErbaiureIf48Y2WiIZmMVGfOGl6KVhD3uuidEkWNsHlxPQlTaISapEQgaz1-VJh9abTMTJdEqI2dd99SVoalr0

What It’s Like Managing Not One, But Three Kinds of Psoriasis

From healthcentral.com

India Bolton opens up about navigating life, motherhood, and flare-ups with plaque, guttate, and inverse psoriasis

Psoriasis comes in many forms (seven, to be precise)—from the most common plaque psoriasis (up to 90% of people with the condition have this type) to the less common inverse psoriasis (affects 21% to 30% of people with psoriasis). India Bolton has both of these—and it doesn’t end there. The 25-year-old homemaker and mother from Pennsylvania also has guttate psoriasis, which is even less common, affecting an estimated 8% of people with psoriasis.

“Guttate psoriasis is my baseline form,” Bolton reveals. “I was diagnosed with it when I was 18 after small guttate plaques appeared on my legs." Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis characterised by small, red, scaly spots that typically appear suddenly on the trunk, arms, and legs, often triggered by infections like strep throat. “I also had a quarter-sized one on my right cheek, and it then spread to my earlobes,” says Bolton. Initially, she thought the plaques on her legs were just bug bites, as it was the end of summer, until they appeared on her face and ears.

In October 2024, after seven years with guttate psoriasis, Bolton’s spots became more widespread. She then caught strep throat, COVID-19, and two bouts of flu during the fall and winter. “Since then I have also had inverse psoriasis,” she says. This type of psoriasis causes smooth, red, inflamed patches in skin folds such as under the breasts, around the genitals, and in armpits, often worsened by friction and sweating. “For seven months last year, I struggled with large plaque psoriasis on my whole back and stomach,” she says. “However, I am grateful to have my plaque psoriasis in ‘remission’ at this time.”

                                                                                                 Courtesy of India Bolton

Finding Treatment

Bolton’s treatment journey started with topical steroids, but like many people, she discovered after using them for several years that they became ineffective for her. Because she is super sensitive to medications and is allergic to a lot of things, even antibiotics, the only medical psoriasis treatment she uses is UVB light therapy: “It’s the most ‘natural’ medical thing I can do,” she explains. “Last year, I had twice-weekly sessions of UVB for seven months—a lot longer than most people, as I was told it’s not usually used for cases as severe as mine.”

Bolton is also a passionate advocate of natural healing and stress management, recognizing how strongly anxiety can trigger her psoriasis. In addition to skin-specific treatments, she attends therapy, works out regularly, spends time outdoors, and makes space for hobbies like reading—all of which help her manage stress and support her overall well-being.

Managing Flare-Ups and Triggers

Typically, every other year Bolton experiences a really bad flare: “It’s painful and usually affects my legs, torso, face, and scalp. Last year, I had a full-body flare that lasted almost the full year—my longest yet.” When a flare starts, Bolton ramps up her at-home therapies: lots of rest, self-care, sunlight, avoiding her triggers, and taking Epsom salts baths. She has a tried-and-tested diet she follows when her skin is in rough shape, which involves avoiding her biggest trigger foods: gluten, dairy, nightshades, spice, and ground beef.

Emotional and Social Challenges

Having three different types of psoriasis means Bolton never knows which of them might flare at any particular time. But the physical aspects of psoriasis don’t pose the biggest challenge, she reveals. “The hardest thing to deal with is the staring and pointing from strangers,” she says. And this spreads to Bolton’s online world; despite her commitment to raising awareness of the condition via her social media accounts, where she shares advice, product recommendations, and personal ups and downs, “I’m asked several times a month online if I have AIDS,” she says.

The mental and emotional load of living with a chronic, unpredictable, and at times an incredibly painful condition is another pressure that can never be completely eliminated. “I was very depressed last year during my pregnancy,” Bolton shares. “During my first pregnancy, I barely had any flaring at all, but this time was the complete opposite.” She accurately points out that about half of women see remission or improvement in their psoriasis symptoms during pregnancy, adding, “I was unlucky my second go-around…It was really hard,” she shares. “But connecting with my online community during this time helped me enormously.”

Her son is now 6 months old, joining two older sisters, ages three and eight. Bolton is grateful that her psoriasis has never impacted her parenting in any major way.

Finding Strength and Positivity

The challenges of living with severe psoriasis are evident, but Bolton says having three different types of the condition has brought many positives into her life. “Because of my psoriasis I have higher self-esteem than I used to, which is kind of ironic really!” she says. “It’s also forced me to find genuine friendships and connections that value me as a person—for who I am, not just what I look like.”

Bolton believes that having psoriasis has helped to shape her to be the woman she is today. “It has made me more aware of those around me with challenges, and I am actually so grateful for that,” she says. “I’m also grateful for the self-love I have found as a result of my psoriasis, as well as the ability I now have to help others in their own journey.”

On that note, her advice to someone who has been diagnosed with psoriasis and is finding it difficult to cope is simple: “Your skin does not define you.” It’s something she tells herself and others frequently—and you might have to do the same, because it can take a while to get to that stage of recognition. Something else Bolton has learned in the years since her first diagnosis is that there’s a huge amount of power in knowledge. “Take every chance that comes your way to advocate for yourself and educate others,” she says.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/what-its-like-managing-three-kinds-of-psoriasis

The key types of psoriasis, and how to handle them

From image.ie

Understanding the unique nature of each type of psoriasis and how to care for it is crucial for finding the right solutions

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red patches of skin covered with silvery, white scales called plaques on white skin. While on brown and black skin the patches can also look purple or dark brown, and the dry, flaky scales may look grey. Commonly, people develop psoriasis on areas such as the scalp, elbows or knees, but it can affect anywhere on your body. 

Psoriasis occurs because an overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin. 

It is important to remember that not all psoriasis is created equal. Understanding the different types of psoriasis is crucial for effective management and of course, treatment. 

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, accounting for about 80% of all cases. You can recognise it by its raised, red patches which are usually covered with silvery-white scales. These patches (or plaques) most typically appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. It’s usually possible to manage plaque psoriasis with a combination of topical treatments, and if needed, medication. 

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis causes small drop-shaped spots. You may get these on your chest, arms, legs and scalp. Sometimes you can get it after a streptococcal throat infection. It is more common among children and teenagers. There’s a good chance guttate psoriasis will go away after a few weeks. But in some cases, it can develop into plaque psoriasis. In severe cases, oral medications or biologics may be prescribed by a dermatologist.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis affects parts of your body where there are folds or creases in your skin. Unlike other types, it appears as smooth, red lesions without the typical “scaling”. Friction and sweating can make inverse psoriasis worse. This means you can be uncomfortable in hot weather. This could be your armpit, groin, bottom or under your breasts. It can cause large, smooth patches in some or all these areas. Managing inverse psoriasis involves keeping the affected areas dry, using topical treatments, and avoiding friction or irritation. 

Nail Psoriasis

Did you know psoriasis can affect your nails? This happens to less than half of people who get the condition. It can cause your nails to develop tiny dents or pits, change colour or shape, become loose and separate from the nail bed or in severe cases, even crumble.

Managing psoriasis

Moisturising the skin is the first step in easing psoriasis symptoms. No7 Derm Solutions Psoriasis Treatment helps support the natural elimination of dead cells from the skin’s surface, helping to normalise skin cell production. It stabilises the skin barrier providing moisturisation to the skin and preventing further dehydration. 

Suitable for sensitive skin, this product helps to reduce hardening, itching, scaling, roughness and redness of the skin.

No7 Derm Solutions 100-Hour Hydration Cream is also an excellent product for very dry skin, as it’s formulated to provide long-lasting comfort to sensitive-feeling skin. Deeply hydrating, it helps improve the appearance of dryness, visible redness and uneven skin tone.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, various treatments and lifestyle changes can really help manage symptoms. To learn more about less common forms of psoriasis visit HSE.ie, psoriasis.org or mayoclinic.org. 

https://www.image.ie/self/the-key-types-of-psoriasis-and-how-to-handle-them-797062

Understanding the Different Types of Psoriasis

From healthline.com

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It’s considered an immune-mediated disease, which means the immune system acts abnormally. There are different types of psoriasis, and it’s possible to have more than one type.

Psoriasis typically affects the skin, causing skin cells to build up faster than usual. It can also affect other organ systems, especially the joints.

According to a 2021 studyTrusted Source, about 7.5 million U.S. adults 20 years or older have psoriasis — a 3 percent prevalence rate (occurrence of a condition). By race and ethnicity, the prevalence rates are:

• 3.6 percent of white people
• 3.1 percent of non-Hispanic, including multiracial, people
• 2.5 percent of Asian people
• 1.9 percent of Hispanic, including Mexican American, people
• 1.5 percent of Black people

Psoriasis causes your skin to develop scaly patches that can be itchy and painful.

Psoriasis tends to be pink or red on people with light or fair skin tones, with silvery-white scale. On medium skin tones, it can appear salmon-coloured with silvery-white scale. On darker skin tones, the psoriasis could look violet, brown, or reddish brown often with light-coloured or greyish-coloured plaques.

There’s limited research and information about managing and diagnosing psoriasis in People of Colour. A 2014 study found the prevalence of psoriasis among adults ages 20 and older to be 3.2 percentTrusted Source, and found the rates vary by race and ethnicity:

• White: 3.6 percent
• Black/African American: 1.9 percent
• Hispanic: 1.6 percent

These numbers may not tell the entire story, as People of Color may be disproportionately undertreated and misdiagnosed. This is because psoriasis isn’t always recognized on darker skin tones as it is for people with lighter skin tones.

Read on to learn more about the different types of psoriasis and how they’re treated.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• red skin patches on fair skin tones
• salmon-colored and silvery-white patches on medium skin tones
• violet, dark brown, or gray scales on darker skin tones
• scaly skin
• itchy skin
• joint swelling, stiffness, or pain, which are associated with a condition called psoriatic arthritis

The symptoms of psoriasis also vary based on the type. There are eight types of psoriasis:

• plaque
• guttate
• inverse
• pustular
• erythrodermic
• psoriatic
• nail
• scalp

Psoriasis can lead to mental stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Depression is also common in people who have psoriasis.

Other diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, have been linkedTrusted Source with psoriasis.

There are also subcategories of psoriasis types. These appear differently depending on the location of the body. Psoriasis isn’t contagious regardless of type.

Psoriasis patches on darker skin tones may also be more widespread, which can make it difficult to diagnose.

Generally, psoriasis patches appear more purple or brown on darker skin tones, often with thick silvery plaques.

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common form of psoriasis. An estimated 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. It’s characterized by thick red or purplish patches of skin, often with a silvery-white or gray scales.

These patches often appear your elbows, knees, lower back, or scalp.

Patches are usually 1 to 10 centimeters wide, but can also be larger and cover more of your body. If you scratch at the scales, the symptoms will often get worse.

Treatments

As a way to ease discomfort, a doctor may recommend applying moisturisers to keep the skin from becoming too dry or irritated. These moisturisers include an over-the-counter (OTC) cortisone cream or an ointment-based moisturiser.

A doctor may also work to identify your unique psoriasis triggers, including stress or lack of sleep.

Other treatments may include:

• vitamin D creams, such as calcipotriene (Dovonex) and calcitrol (Rocaltrol), to reduce the rate that skin cells grow, in combination with topical steroids to reduce inflammation and itching
• topical retinoids, like tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage), to help reduce inflammation
• immunosuppressives, such as methotrexate or cyclosporine
• applications of coal tar, either by cream, oil, or shampoo
• biologics, a category of anti-inflammatory drugs

Medication may differ for guttate or erythrodermic psoriasis.

In some cases, you may need light therapy. This involves exposing the skin to both ultraviolet (UV)A and UVB rays. Sometimes, treatments combine prescription oral medications, light therapies, and prescription ointments to reduce inflammation.

With moderate to severe cases, you may be prescribed systemic medication in the form of oral, injectable, or intravenous (IV) medication.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis appears in small red spots on the skin. In darker skin tones, these spots can appear violet or brown. It’s the second most common type, affecting around 8% of people with psoriasis. Most of the time, it starts during childhood or young adulthood.

The spots are small, separate, and drop-shaped. They often appear on the torso and limbs, but they can also appear on your face and scalp. Spots are usually not as thick as plaque psoriasis, but they can develop into plaque psoriasis over time.

Guttate psoriasis happens after certain triggers. These triggers include:

• strep throat
• stress
• skin injury
• infection
• medication

Treatments

To treat guttate psoriasis, a doctor may prescribe steroid creams, light therapy, and oral medications. Determining the underlying cause of the infection can also help clear guttate psoriasis. If a bacterial infection caused the condition, antibiotics may help.

Flexural or inverse psoriasis

Flexural or inverse psoriasis often appears in skinfolds, such as under the breasts or in the armpits or groin area. This type of psoriasis is red or purple and often shiny and smooth.

The sweat and moisture from skinfolds keeps this form of psoriasis from shedding skin scales. Sometimes, it’s misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection. The skin-on-skin contact can make inverse psoriasis very uncomfortable.

Most people with inverse psoriasis also have a different form of psoriasis in other places on the body.

Treatments

The treatments for inverse psoriasis are like plaque psoriasis treatments. They can include:

• topical steroid creams
• nonsteroidal such as phosphodiesterase (PDE)-4 inhibitor
• light therapy
• oral medications
• biologics, which are available via injection or IV infusion

A doctor may prescribe a lower potency steroid cream to avoid your skin from thinning too much. You may also benefit from taking or applying medications that reduce yeast or bacteria growth.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis can be severe at times. This form of psoriasis may develop quickly in the form of many white pustules surrounded by red or darkened skin.

Pustular psoriasis may affect isolated areas of your body, like your hands and feet, or cover most of the skin’s surface. These pustules can also join together and form scaling. However, if it affects all areas of the bodyTrusted Source — such as the Von Zumbusch subtype — it can be life threatening because it has severe systemic effects.

Some people experience cyclic periods of pustules and remission. While the pus is noninfectious, this condition can cause flu-like symptoms such as:

• fever
• chills
• rapid pulse
• muscle weakness
• loss of appetite

There are three kinds of pustular psoriasis:

• von Zumbusch
• palmoplantar pustulosis
• acropustulosis

Each of the three forms of pustular psoriasis can have different symptoms and severity.

Treatments

Treatment may include OTC or prescription corticosteroid creams, oral medications, or light therapy. Biologics may also be recommended.

Identifying and treating the underlying cause may also help reduce reoccurrence of pustular psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis, or exfoliative psoriasis, is a rare type of psoriasis that looks bright red or dark purplish in people with darker skin tones along with shedding of the skin. The condition is serious and is a medical emergency. You may need to be hospitalized, as your body may not be able to manage your body temperature.

This form of psoriasis is widespread, with red or purple skin and silvery scales. It may cover large portions of your body. Exfoliation often occurs in larger pieces than the small scales typical to most psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis can develop from:

• pustular psoriasis
• widespread, poorly controlled plaque psoriasis
• a bad sunburn
• infection
• alcohol use disorder
• significant stress
• abrupt discontinuation of a systemic psoriasis medication
• using oral steroids, cyclosporin, or methotrexate

Treatments

This condition often needs attention at a hospital. There, you’ll receive a combination of therapies.

This can include an application of medicated wet dressings, topical steroid applications, biologics, or prescription oral medications until symptoms have improved.

Make an appointment with a doctor if you think you have erythrodermic psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a painful and physically limiting condition that affects between 30% and 33% of people with psoriasis. There are five types of PsA with varying symptoms. There’s also no cure for this condition.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, so it can trigger your body to attack your joints and skin. It can affect many joints and often becomes quite severe in the hands and affect the nails. Skin symptoms usually appear before joint symptoms.

Treatments

Treatments for psoriatic arthritis can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). NSAIDs can help reduce the incidences of swelling and pain associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Prescription medications, such as an oral corticosteroid, may also help reduce inflammation that leads to psoriatic arthritis. Prescription topical medications used to treat psoriatic arthritis include salicylic acid, calciopotriene, and tazarotene.

A unique category of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help reduce inflammation and joint damage. Biologics, which are a subcategory of DMARDs, may be prescribed to reduce inflammation at a cellular level.

Nail psoriasis

Although not an official type of psoriasis, nail psoriasis is a manifestation of psoriasis. The condition can often be confused with fungal infections and other infections of the nail.

Nail psoriasis can cause:

• nail pitting
• grooves
• discoloration
• loosening or crumbling of your nail
• thickened skin under your nail
• colored patches or spots under your nail

Sometimes, the nail can even crumble and fall off. There’s no cure for psoriatic nails, but some treatments may improve the health and appearance of nails.

Treatments

Treatments for nail psoriasis are like the ones used for plaque psoriasis. It may take time to see the effects of these treatments as nails grow very slowly. Treatment options include:

• light therapy
• oral medications, such as methotrexate
• biologics

Scalp psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is common in people with plaque psoriasis. For some people, it may cause severe dandruff. For others, it can be painful, itchy, and very noticeable at the hairline. Scalp psoriasis can extend to your neck, face, and ears in one large patch or many smaller patches.

In some cases, scalp psoriasis can complicate regular hair hygiene. Excessive scratching can cause hair loss and scalp infections. The condition may also cause feelings of social stress.

Treatments

Topical treatments are most commonly used for scalp psoriasis. They may require an initial 2 months of intensive applications, plus permanent, regular maintenance. Treatment options include:

• medicated shampoos
• tar preparations
• topical application of vitamin D, known as calcipotriene (Dovonex)

Light therapy, oral medications, and biologics also may be recommended depending on the responsiveness to treatment.

Self-care for psoriasis

There’s no one cure for any form of psoriasis, but remission and significant healing is possible. Your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan that helps manage your condition. You can also take steps at home to manage psoriasis.

These can include:

• practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress
• moisturising dry skin
• quitting smoking
• avoiding products that irritate your skin
• wearing comfortable clothing that doesn’t rub the psoriasis
• eating a healthy diet

Doctors may slowly build up to the most effective treatment plan for your psoriasis symptoms. Most start with a topical or light therapy treatment and only progress to systemic medications if the first line of treatment is unsuccessful.

Coping and support

Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can be commonly found in people with psoriasis. You may benefit from therapy or support groups where you can meet other people experiencing similar issues or concerns.

You can also talk with a healthcare professional about seeing a therapist who has experience with psoriasis. They’ll be able to help identify ways to cope.

Visit the National Psoriasis Foundation for the latest information on research, events, and programs.

Takeaway

There are different types of psoriasis that present different symptoms. While there’s no cure for psoriasis, treatment can help relieve and manage your symptoms. Talk with a doctor if you’re concerned about your skin.

The type of psoriasis you have, and its severity, will determine your treatment. Generally speaking, milder cases with smaller psoriasis patches can often be treated topically. More serious cases, with larger patches, may require systemic treatment.

Many people believe that psoriasis is contagious, but it won’t spread from person to person. Researchers believe that a combination of genetics and environmental and immune system factors cause psoriasis.

Thanks to the advocacy work of dozens of psoriasis activists and organizations, psoriasis is also gaining more support and awareness. Talk with a doctor if you believe you have psoriasis. They’ll be able to provide treatment options and coping methods.

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