Psoriasis looks like patches of thickened, raised skin that are often covered with silvery-white or gray scales. The appearance can vary depending on the type of psoriasis and the person's skin tone:
- On lighter skin, psoriasis patches tend to be pink or red with silvery-white scales.
- On medium skin tones, patches may look salmon-colored with silvery-white scales.
- On darker skin tones, psoriasis can appear violet, brown, dark brown, or purplish with grayish or light-colored scales.
Commonly affected areas include the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, and sometimes skin folds like armpits and groin. There are different types of psoriasis with slightly different appearances:
- Plaque psoriasis (the most common) shows dry, raised, scaly skin patches.
- Scalp psoriasis involves thick, scaly patches on the scalp.
- Nail psoriasis causes pitting, discoloration, crumbling, or separation of nails.
- Guttate psoriasis appears as small, drop-shaped spots.
- Inverse psoriasis causes large, smooth, shiny patches in skin folds without much scaling.
The patches can be itchy, sore, or even crack and bleed in severe cases. On darker skin, patches may be thicker and sometimes look purple or dark brown with a gray scale. Psoriasis symptoms tend to come and go in cycles of flare- ups and remission. After a flare, patches of lighter or darker skin may remain visible. Overall, psoriasis patches are raised, scaly, and vary in color with skin tone, often causing discomfort or itching. Some types may look slightly different based on location and severity. This description encompasses various forms and how they appear on different skin tones and body parts. If you want, I can provide visual examples or more detailed descriptions of specific types.
