Do I Have Plaque Psoriasis?

Are you between 15 and 46?

Do you have red patches of thick, raised skin covered with silver-colored scales (on black skin, the plaques may be darker in color rather than red)?

Do you feel itching, burning or soreness on the affected area of the skin?

Do you have dry, cracked skin that may bleed when you scratch?

Do the skin lesions appear on your elbows, knees, lower back and scalp?

Do you have plaques of different sizes?

Do you have plaques that grow and merge with each other, covering large areas?

Do you have thickened, pitted or ridged nails?

Do you have painful, swollen and stiff joints which interfere with your daily tasks?

Do you have a family history of plaque psoriasis?

Have you recently had a strep throat or some type of skin infection or skin injury or have you been under a lot of stress lately?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis that is a skin disorder caused by improper functioning of your immune system. Anyone can get plaque psoriasis and symptoms can vary from person to person. There are a number of skin conditions that can have similar symptoms to psoriasis so, if you develop a rash that won’t go away with an over-the-counter medication, you should see your doctor for further analysis.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin disease characterized by red, itchy scaly lesions. It is a long-term condition that has no cure. The most common form is plaque psoriasis and the symptoms can be different for each person. Many people have a predisposition for psoriasis but they have no symptoms. The symptoms appear when some environmental factor triggers them such as strep throat or skin infections, a bug bite, or severe sunburn, stress, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Talk to your doctor about treatment options for managing your symptoms.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic (long-term) skin condition caused by an immune system problem. The most common type is plaque psoriasis, also called “psoriasis vulgaris” and approximately 8 in 10 people with psoriasis have this type. The skin lesions usually appear in the area of your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. The symptoms of psoriasis go through cycles with flare-ups and remissions. Periods with active symptoms (flare-ups) can last for a few weeks or months. Treatment includes creams and ointments, medication, phototherapy and lifestyle changes to help you live better with psoriasis.