Psoriasis
Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a noncontagious, lifelong skin disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.
The most common form, plaque [plak] psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale.
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Forms of psoriasis
There are five types of psoriasis. Click on the names to learn more.
Plaque: Most common form of the disease
Guttate: Appears as small red spots on the skin
Inverse: Occurs in armpits, groin and skin folds
Pustular: White blisters surrounded by red skin
Erythrodermic: Intense redness over large areas
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Specific skin sites
Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body. Learn more about psoriasis on specific skin sites:
Scalp psoriasis
Genital psoriasis
On the face - Around eyes, ears, mouth and nose
On the hands and feet
Psoriasis of the nails
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