Psoriasis Health Center

Understanding Psoriasis -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?

The symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Areas of itchy, scaly skin on the scalp, knees, elbows, and upper body; these deep-pink, raised plaques of skin have white scales.
• Psoriasis on fingernails and toenails can make the nails become thick, pitted, and discolored; nails may separate from underlying nail bed.
• Red, scaly, cracked skin with tiny pustules on the palms of the hands and/or feet; you may have pustular psoriasis.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• Stiffness, pain, and tenderness of the joints
• Reduced range of motion
• Nail changes, such as pitting, which is found in up to 80% of people with psoriatic arthritis

Call Your Doctor About Psoriasis If:

Your skin inflammation does not respond to over-the-counter types of treatment; you need to be checked to see if more aggressive prescription topical and/or systemic therapy is needed.