The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Psoriasis includes the 39 symptoms listed below:
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The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Psoriasis includes:
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Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Psoriasis are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Psoriasis.
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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The most common complaint of the patient with psoriasis is itching and, occasionally, pain from dry, cracked, encrusted lesions. Psoriatic lesions are erythematous and usually form well-defined plaques, sometimes covering large areas of the body. (See Psoriatic plaques.) Such lesions most commonly appear on the scalp, chest, elbows, knees, shins, back, and buttocks. The plaques consist of characteristic silver scales that either flake off easily or can thicken, covering the lesion. Removal of psoriatic scales frequently produces fine bleeding points (Auspitz sign). Occasionally, small guttate lesions appear, either alone or with plaques; these lesions are typically thin and erythematous, with few scales.
Widespread shedding of scales is common in exfoliative or erythrodermic psoriasis and may also develop in chronic psoriasis.
Rarely, psoriasis becomes pustular, taking one of two forms. In localized pustular (Barber’s) psoriasis, pustules appear on the palms and soles and remain sterile until opened. In generalized pustular (von Zumbusch’s) psoriasis, which often occurs with fever, leukocytosis, and malaise, groups of pustules coalesce to form lakes of pus on red skin. These pustules also remain sterile until opened and commonly involve the tongue and oral mucosa.
In about 30% of patients, psoriasis spreads to the fingernails, producing small indentations and yellow or brown discoloration. In severe cases, the accumulation of thick, crumbly debris under the nail, causes it to separate from the nail bed.
Some patients with psoriasis develop arthritic symptoms (psoriatic arthritis), usually in one or more joints of the fingers or toes, or sometimes in the sacroiliac joints, which may progress to spondylitis. Such patients may complain of morning stiffness. Joint symptoms show no consistent linkage to the course of the cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis; they demonstrate remissions and exacerbations similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
The most common complaint of the patient with psoriasis is itching and occasional pain from dry, cracked, encrusted lesions.
Psoriatic lesions are erythematous and usually form well-defined plaques, sometimes covering large areas of the body. (See Viewing psoriasis.) Such lesions usually appear on the scalp, chest, elbows, knees, back, and buttocks.
The plaques consist of characteristic silver scales that either flake off easily or can thicken, covering the lesion. Removal of psoriatic scales typically produces fine bleeding points (Auspitz sign). Occasionally, small guttate lesions appear, either alone or with plaques; these lesions are typically thin and erythematous, with few scales.
Widespread involvement of scales and erythema is called exfoliative or erythrodermic psoriasis. In about 60% of patients, psoriasis spreads to the fingernails, producing small indentations or pits and yellow or brown discoloration. In some cases, the accumulation of thick, crumbly debris under the nail causes it to separate from the nail-bed (onycholysis).
Rarely, psoriasis becomes pustular, taking one of two forms. In localized pustular psoriasis, pustules appear on the palms and soles and remain sterile until opened. In generalized pustular (Von Zumbusch) psoriasis, which commonly occurs with fever, leukocytosis, and malaise, groups of pustules coalesce to form lakes of pus on red skin. These pustules also remain sterile until opened and commonly involve the tongue and oral mucosa.
Some patients with psoriasis develop arthritic symptoms, usually in one or more joints of the fingers or toes, in the larger joints, or sometimes in the sacroiliac joints, which may progress to spondylitis. Such patients may complain of morning stiffness. Joint symptoms show no consistent linkage to the course of the cutaneus manifestations of psoriasis; they demonstrate remissions and exacerbations similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and emotional distress.
In its most typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch and may burn. The skin at the joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet but it can affect any skin site. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitalia. About 15 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces arthritis symptoms. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS)
People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flareups include changes in climate, infections, stress, and dry skin. Also, certain medicines, most notably beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and lithium or drugs used to treat depression, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS)
When psoriasis develops, patches of skin thicken, redden, and become covered with silvery scales. These patches are sometimes referred to as plaques. They may itch or burn. The skin at joints may crack. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. The disease also may affect the fingernails, toenails, and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitaliAbout 10 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis. (Source: excerpt from Psoriasis: NWHIC)
When considering symptoms of Psoriasis, it is also important to consider Psoriasis as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Psoriasis may cause:
Onset of Psoriasis: usually 50-60 years of age
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Psoriasis. This signs and symptoms information for Psoriasis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Psoriasis signs or Psoriasis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Psoriasis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Psoriasis symptoms.
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