Types of Psoriasis

There are several different types of psoriasis which all look slightly different, although red and inflamed skin is common in all of them. The different types of psoriasis may require different treatments.

  • Plaque psoriasis: Patches of psoriasis (‘plaques’ or ‘skin lesions’) that can occur on any area of your body but are most common on your knees, elbows, scalp, hairline, and lower back.
  • Guttate psoriasis: A widespread rash of small, scaly spots usually on your stomach, arms and legs (scattered like raindrops). 
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis: A rare and more serious form of psoriasis in which skin redness (also called ‘erythema’) can affect your whole body.
  • Pustular psoriasis: Small yellow-brown pus spots that can occur only on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet (called ‘palmoplantar pustulosis’) or are more widely spread Generalised pustular psoriasis(or ‘von Zumbusch psoriasis’). This is a rare form of psoriasis.

Psoriasis can be located on different parts of your body, such as:

  • Nail psoriasis: This affects your fingernails and toenails.
  • Scalp psoriasis: Psoriasis of the scalp (head) which can affect your entire scalp or just some areas.
  • Sensitive Areas: There are some areas of your body where the skin is thinner and may be more sensitive to treatment.

Further reading

British Association of Dermatologists Patient Leaflet - Psoriasis

Griffiths C and Barker J. Pathogenesis and clinical features of psoriasis. Lancet 2007; 370: 263-271

Krueger GG et al. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life : results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol 2001; 137: 280-285

Naldi L, Gambini D. The clinical spectrum of psoriasis. Clinics in Dermatology 2007;25:510–518