Different psoriasis types may call for different treatments, it is important to know which kind you have.

There are several types of  including vulgaris, guttate, pustular, inverse and Etythrodermic.

Psoriasis Vulgaris

Psoriasis type vulgaris can be recognized by the presence of raised, red, scaly patches or “plaques”, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest, nails, and lower back.

Psoriasis Guttate

Guttate often appears after someone suffers from strep throat a throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. It presents as small red dots of psoriasis that usually appear on the trunk, arms, and legs; the lesions may have some scale.

Guttate is fairly easy to differentiate from plaque psoriasis because the spots caused by the guttate type are much smaller.

Pustular

Psoriasis types pustular is extremely rare, and more severe. Localized pustular  can be quite painful, making it difficult to use your hands or walk normally.

Due to its location on the hands and feet, localized pustular may require the use of gloves or plastic wrapping during conventional treatment with topical creams.

Pustular may erupt as the first occurrence of psoriasis or it may evolve from plaque psoriasis It appears as small, white, fluid-filled blisters pustules surrounded by swollen, reddish skin and can cover the entire body and result in fever, fluid imbalances, and infection.

Inverse

Inverse Psoriasis also referred to as “flexural,” “genital,” or “skin-fold” psoriasis, inverse is uncommon and looks different from other forms because thick scales don’t develop. Inverse psoriasis can be found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other flexion creases skin folds such as those around the genitals and buttocks.

Inverse is more frequent and severe in people who are overweight because it is in the skin folds where it is particularly prone to irritation from rubbing and sweating.

This form of psoriasis appears as smooth, dry areas of skin that are red and inflamed but do not have the scaling associated with plaque psoriasis the most common type of psoriasis.

If you’ve ever had thick, reddish, scaly patches of skin you might have psoriasis. But what is psoriasis exactly? It is a chronic skin disorder that is fairly common, occurring in approximately 3% of the population. Any part of the skin may be affected but the most commonly affected areas are the knees, elbows, and scalp.

The severity of this skin disease can vary from person to person and treatment options also vary according to the severity of the condition. For most people, psoriasis tends to be mild with just a few lesions. In more severe cases the lesions cover a larger area of the skin and can also cause an itching and / or burning sensation that can be quite uncomfortable.

Psoriasis is not contagious so you don’t have to worry about anyone catching it from you. It is believed to be a genetic condition in which the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered and because of this, skin cells are produced very rapidly. Everyone is constantly shedding dead skin cells which are replaced with new ones. Normally, new skin cells mature over the course of about 3 to 4 weeks before they die off and are replaced.

In people with psoriasis, the replacement process is greatly accelerated and only takes about 2 to 6 days. Because of this acceleration, living cells and dead cells build up on the skin’s surface causing the thick, reddish, scaly appearance.

There are a number of different treatment options available and you should consult a dermatologist to diagnose your condition and suggest treatment options for you.