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Symptoms of Psoriasis

Common Symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms vary from person to person, according to both the severity of the disease and the type of psoriasis. Common psoriasis symptoms may include one or more of the following:

  • Raised, red, inflamed lesions
  • Silvery scaly plaques
  • Small, red, individual spots (more common in children and young adults)
  • Dry skin that may crack and bleed
  • Itching, burning, or soreness of the skin
  • Pitted nails or separation from the nail bed

Cycles, Flare-ups, & Triggers

Most types of psoriasis go through cycles. A psoriasis patient may experience weeks or even months of no symptoms, appearing to go into complete remission. Because psoriasis is a chronic (or long-lasting) disease, however, symptoms can return, or "flare up."

Symptom flare-ups can be caused by external factors from the environment, known as triggers. Triggers affect everyone differently. What triggers one person’s psoriasis may have no effect on another, but it may be helpful to avoid some commonly known triggers in an effort to reduce your symptom flare-ups. Common symptom triggers include:

  • Stress
  • Injury to skin (cuts, scrapes, bug bites, severe sunburns)
  • Cold weather
  • Smoking
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Certain medications (including lithium, antimalarials, iodides, and certain beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you're taking any of these medications.)
 

Psoriasis Patient Advocate Program

Connect with a psoriasis patient advocate in your area for one-to-one psoriasis education and support.
It's absolutely free!



Psoriasis Symptom Tracker

The Psoriasis Weekly Answers apps can help you gather facts and track your plaque psoriasis symptoms. Use them either from your computer or your iPhone.

They’ll help you have a better conversation with a dermatologist.

 

Psoriasis FAQs

  • Is psoriasis just a skin condition?

    Psoriasis is a chronic immune disease that appears on the skin. Up to 30% of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis, which impacts your joints and skin.

  • Can my symptoms get worse in the winter?

    Yes. Dry air, decreased sunlight exposure, and colder temperatures can contribute to psoriasis flare-ups in the winter.

  • At what age do most people get psoriasis?

    Psoriasis can develop at any age, but symptoms first appear in most people between the ages from young adulthood to age 35.