At Advanced Dermatology, P.C., our board-certified dermatologists understand that true relief means clearing your skin and easing the stress associated with chronic flares. We provide a supportive medical environment where your symptoms are thoroughly evaluated and treated with the latest therapeutic advancements.

Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Are you wondering how to know if you have psoriasis? The condition presents in different ways depending on the type and severity.

Common psoriasis symptoms include the following:

• Red or pink plaques with silvery-white scales.
• Itching, burning, or stinging sensations.
• Cracked, bleeding, or flaking skin.
• Nail pitting or thickening.
• Stiff, swollen joints (in cases of psoriatic arthritis).

Symptoms can appear anywhere but are most common on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and skin folds.

What causes psoriasis?

There’s no single cause of psoriasis, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the condition.

Your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, triggering inflammation and rapid cell turnover.

Common psoriasis triggers include the following conditions:

• Stress.
• Illness or infection, especially strep throat.
• Cold or dry weather.
• Skin injuries, such as cuts, scrapes or sunburn.
• Alcohol use.
• Hormonal changes.
• Certain medications, such as beta blockers or lithium.

Understanding your psoriasis causes and triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is a specific type of psoriasis that suddenly appears as small, red or pink spots on the skin. The word “guttate” comes from the Latin word for drop, because the small spots look like tiny raindrops scattered across the body. These spots usually break out on the torso, arms and legs, and they can sometimes show up on the face and scalp.

Unlike the thick, heavy patches seen in other types of psoriasis, these spots are thin, small and may have a fine, powdery scale on top. They can itch intensely and cause sudden discomfort. This type of psoriasis most commonly affects children, teenagers and young adults under the age of 30.

Guttate psoriasis almost always triggered by a brief illness, most commonly a strep throat infection or a bad cold. While the condition itself is not contagious, the spots can last for several weeks or months.

Many cases clear up entirely on their own once the underlying infection goes away, though prescription creams or light therapy from a dermatologist might be necessary to soothe the skin.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is a rare though severe type of psoriasis, causing painful, fluid-filled bumps to form on the skin. The bumps, or pustules, are filled with white blood cells, non-infectious and non-contagious. The condition generally manifests in one of two ways – localized or generalized.

• Localized: The flare-up is limited to specific areas, often on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
• Generalized: The flare-up is widespread and severe, often erupting suddenly and appearing on a large swath of the body in as quickly as a few hours.

When widespread flares occur, the condition can interfere with the body’s internal thermostat, leading to systemic symptoms including the following:

• High fever
• Chills
• Rapid pulse
• Severe muscle weakness

Because generalized pustular psoriasis affects how your skin regulates fluid and temperature, it requires immediate, urgent medical care. A dermatologist can prescribe powerful systemic medications to quickly calm the immune system and bring the inflammation under control.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis develops exclusively in the tight folds and creases of the skin. Unlike other forms of psoriasis that cause dry, scaly patches on the outer parts of the body, this type looks smooth, shiny and intensely red.

This condition typically appears in warm, moist zones such as the armpits, the groin, under the breasts and in the deep folds around the buttocks.

The warm, damp environment of skin folds also creates a prime environment for secondary yeast or fungal infections to develop, which can make the inflammation even worse.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest and most aggressive type of psoriasis, causing a severe, widespread rash that covers nearly the entire body. The affected skin often sheds in large sheets rather than small flakes, and it can burn, itch intensely, and feel incredibly painful.

A flare-up of erythrodermic psoriasis is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate treatment and sometimes hospitalization. It can be triggered by suddenly stopping systemic psoriasis medications, severe sunburn or a major infection.

Other types of psoriasis

Other forms of psoriasis include the following variations, which develop in different areas of the body and require different treatment approaches.

• Nail psoriasis: Affects nail appearance, thickness and structure.
• Psoriatic arthritis: Joint pain and stiffness that may occur alongside skin symptoms.
• Sebopsoriasis: A mix of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, often found on the scalp, face and chest.

Psoriasis vs. eczema

While both psoriasis and eczema are chronic skin conditions that cause intense itching and red rashes, they display several key clinical differences:

• Appearance: Psoriasis produces well-defined, thick, red patches covered with silvery scales, whereas eczema typically appears as ill-defined, dry, intensely red patches that may blister or ooze.
• Location: Psoriasis commonly develops on the outer surfaces of joints like the elbows and knees, the scalp, and the lower back, while eczema favors the sensitive inner folds of skin, such as the backs of the knees and inside the elbows.
• Age of onset: Eczema most frequently begins during infancy or early childhood and may improve over time, whereas psoriasis typically develops later in life, usually appearing between early adulthood and middle age.

Because psoriasis and eczema present with red, inflamed rashes and intense itching, a professional diagnosis is necessary to ensure proper medical care. Mistaking one condition for the other can delay relief, as standard psoriasis therapies differ significantly from an effective eczema treatment plan.

Topical treatments

For mild to moderate cases, applying prescription medications directly to the skin remains the foundational line of defense. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends topical corticosteroids as a highly effective baseline therapy to reduce local inflammation and slow rapid skin cell production.

Depending on your customized management strategy, these steroids can be combined with salicylic acid to gently soften thick scales or specialized coal tar ointments to ease persistent itching.

Additionally, medical literature highlights clinical advancements like coal tar 2% foam as a monotherapy that significantly clears plaques without the residue of traditional ointments.

Phototherapy

When widespread plaques do not respond to topical treatments alone, prescription light therapy offers a highly controlled way to restore skin health. Advanced Dermatology, P.C. provides medical-grade phototherapy options that utilize specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light to slow the growth of overactive skin cells.

Among these advanced tools, targeted excimer laser treatment is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for delivering high-intensity UVB beams directly to chronic, stubborn psoriasis plaques without exposing surrounding healthy skin.

Experts at the National Psoriasis Foundation note that excimer laser treatment is exceptionally effective for treating scalp psoriasis, penetrating the hair barrier to deliver precise, rapid clearing.

Systemic medications and biologics

For moderate to severe or resistant cases, systemic treatments work internally to address the root cause of the condition rather than just treating the surface. Biologics, injectable or infused treatments, are designed to target the specific proteins driving the disease.

According to patient resources from the American Academy of Dermatology, biologics work by preventing the overactive immune response that triggers psoriasis outbreaks. Because these specialized therapies target the hyperactive portions of the immune system, they carry a much lower risk of causing liver or kidney complications compared to traditional oral medications. Feel more comfortable and confident in your skin. Book an appointment to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Is psoriasis contagious?

No, psoriasis is completely non-contagious and cannot be caught or passed from one person to another. The condition is driven entirely by internal genetics and an overactive response within your own immune system.

Can psoriasis be cured?

There is currently no permanent cure for psoriasis, but modern medical advancements offer highly effective long-term symptom management. Most patients can achieve clear skin and long periods of total remission by utilizing a tailored treatment approach.

What triggers a psoriasis flare-up?

Psoriasis flare-ups are frequently set off by environmental, physical or physiological changes that prompt the immune system to overreact. Common triggers include high stress levels, skin injuries like severe sunburns or scratches, and common cold or strep throat infections. Cold, dry winter weather, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and certain prescription medications can also cause symptoms to worsen suddenly.

When should I see a dermatologist for psoriasis?

You should schedule a professional evaluation if you notice persistent, unexplained red patches that itch, burn or develop a flaky, silvery texture. Seeking timely care is also crucial if your current over-the-counter moisturizers fail to bring relief or if joint pain accompanies your skin symptoms. Early intervention allows us to initiate targeted systemic or topical therapies that prevent localized damage and improve your daily quality of life.

Get Expert Psoriasis Care at Advanced Dermatology, P.C.

At Advanced Dermatology, P.C., we understand how frustrating living with chronic skin conditions like psoriasis can be.

We’ll help you manage symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve your skin health so you can feel more comfortable and confident in your skin. With over 40 convenient locations across New York and New Jersey, expert care is always nearby. Find your nearest location and book your appointment today.

Related Conditions & Treatments

• Arthritis and Skin Treatment
• Eczema Treatment
• Autoimmune & rare skin conditions Treatment
• Dandruff Treatment
• Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment
• Dermatitis Treatment
• Scleroderma Treatment