Early Signs of Psoriasis: What to Know and When to Seek Help

Catching psoriasis early is vital for managing the disease effectively and minimizing its impact on your quality of life. Timely intervention can help slow disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and reduce the risk of complications.

• Certain cancers
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Crohn’s disease

The early signs and symptoms of psoriasis, and which parts of the body it affects, depend on the type. It is possible to have more than one type of psoriasis occurring at the same time.

Plaque Psoriasis

The plaques also flare up in response to specific environmental triggers, ranging from stress to dry air to certain infections — this is another sign you may have plaque psoriasis instead of a simple rash or other skin condition.

Guttate Psoriasis

Inverse Psoriasis

Nail Psoriasis

• Pitted with little dents
• Discolored
• Rough and crumbly
• Separated from the nail bed
• Spotted with blood underneath

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Psoriatic Arthritis

Look for these signs:

• A painful, sausage-like swelling of a finger or toe, called dactylitis
• Heel pain
• Swelling in the area just above the heel
• Joint stiffness in the morning

Pustular Psoriasis

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Joint pain

Anyone with symptoms of pustular psoriasis should seek immediate medical attention.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Anyone with symptoms of erythrodermic psoriasis should seek immediate medical attention.

Psoriasis can resemble other skin conditions, making early diagnosis challenging. But there are some telltale differences between psoriasis and these conditions.

Psoriasis vs. Eczema

Similar to inverse psoriasis, eczema tends to appear in the body’s skin folds. But while inverse psoriasis’s smooth patches usually appear in moist areas like the armpits and groin, eczema’s bumpy patches tend to appear in dryer areas like the creases of the elbows and knees.

Psoriasis vs. Dermatitis

Psoriasis vs. Fungal Infections

Ringworm of the skin causes a red rash, but, unlike plaque psoriasis, it usually forms a ring-shaped, scaly red rash, with the inside of the ring a mix of clearer skin and small discolored bumps.

A ringworm nail infection, called onychomycosis, can cause nails to become discolored, thick, and break easily, but it doesn’t usually cause the pitting or nail separating found in nail psoriasis.

Jock itch (fungal infection of the groin) is commonly mistaken for inverse psoriasis, but jock itch sometimes has the circular, ringworm form and is more likely to cause scaly or flaky skin.

There are many potential triggers for psoriasis flare-ups, including:

• Stress
• Skin injuries such as scratches, sunburns, tattoos, piercings, and bug bites
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Calcium deficiency

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• Cold, dry weather

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• Illnesses such as ear infections, respiratory infections, and tonsillitis
• Certain medications such as lithium, strong steroids, and some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, heart issues, and arthritis

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• Hormonal changes such as occur during puberty and menopause

Your diet can also trigger psoriasis, especially if your diet includes a lot of inflammatory foods, including:

• Refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, and pasta
• Food high in saturated and trans fats, such as red meet, fried food, and margarine
• Sugary food and drinks

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• Ultraprocessed food, such as frozen meals, sweetened cereals, and candy

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You are more likely to develop psoriasis if you have a family history of the condition.

If you’ve yet to be diagnosed with psoriasis, it’s important to see your healthcare provider if you spot any potential signs of the disease, such as:

• Bumps on your skin that grow in numbers or size
• A rash with itchy, scaly patches on your face, scalp, back, knees, or elbows
• A rash of small, scaly bumps that appear after having strep throat
• Smooth, red patches of inflamed skin in the folds of your skin
• Pitting in your nails or nails separating from the nail bed

Catching psoriasis early — and getting a formal diagnosis by a medical professional — allows for prompt treatment, possibly slowing the progression of the disease and its impact on your life.

• Worsening symptoms or skin irritation despite treatment
• Fever accompanying your skin issues
• A rash that covers most of your body
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life

Psoriasis treatments aim to reduce inflammation and slow skin cell turnover. There are several broad categories of treatments.

• Avoid smoking.
• Limit alcohol.
• Identify and avoid your triggers.
• Follow a healthy anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean diet.
• Bathe in lukewarm water and wash with mild soap that has added oils.
• Use gentle skin-care products and avoid harsh soaps and fragrances that may irritate the skin.
• Moisturize regularly, especially in dry climates and cold weather and after taking a shower (while your skin is still damp).
• Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, including by exercising.
• Manage your stress, for example with relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga.
• Expose your affected skin to small amounts of sunlight.

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• For effective disease management, it's essential to recognize the early signs of psoriasis, in any of its forms, and seek timely medical attention.
• With proper care, treatment, and lifestyle adjustments, you can lead a fulfilling life with psoriasis and minimize the impact of this chronic condition.
• If you suspect you have psoriasis, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider — early diagnosis and intervention makes all the difference.