5 Signs Your Rash Is Actually Psoriasis

As the advertisement says, if you have psoriasis, you know the heartache. You may not want to bare your hands, back, or arms because of your unsightly rash. 

Psoriasis is a complex disease. Researchers don’t yet know exactly what causes it. They do know that psoriasis stems from a dysfunction in your immune system that produces painful inflammation in your body. 

If you have psoriasis, you’re at risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. Because you have a high level of inflammation in your body, you’re also at risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. 

Not surprisingly, you’re more prone to anxiety and depression because you have a chronic health condition that’s visible to everyone. 

Our board-certified dermatologists at Seacoast Dermatology are skin health experts with the extensive training needed to treat your condition. They properly diagnose your rash and start treating it promptly so you get the relief you need. 

Why does my skin have these unsightly red patches? 

Normal skin cells turn over in about one month. When you have psoriasis, your skin produces new cells in just days. Your body creates too many skin cells too quickly. They pile up, and your skin thickens and produces scales. 

There are several different types of psoriasis. Symptoms differ depending on the type of psoriasis you have. Most cases of psoriasis are plaque psoriasis. 

Following are five signs that your rash is psoriasis rather than another type of skin rash. 

Patches of raised, scaly skin 

Plaque psoriasis is characterized by patches of irritated, scaly skin. The color is different depending on your skin tone. If you have pale skin, the psoriasis plaques can be pink, red, or purple, with silver or gray scales. If you have dark skin, the patches can be brown, purple, or gray. 

This symptom looks similar to eczema, but psoriasis plaques are thicker and have a somewhat raised appearance. Eczema patches are flatter and feature very dry, flaky, feathery skin. 

Defined vs. undefined edges

Psoriasis plaques have defined edges, but eczema patches don’t have a clear edge. 

Location of irritated skin 

Psoriasis usually appears on the scalp, back, hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Eczema frequently appears in the fold of the elbows or knees, especially in children, but it can also appear on your face or hands as an adult. 

Pain, including joint pain

A major complaint of psoriasis patients is burning pain at the site of the affected skin. Your skin may also itch, but itching is the primary complaint of those who have eczema. 

If you have pain in some of your joints along with other common symptoms, you have psoriasis. A third of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis. 

Reaction to medication 

In some cases, individuals may have both psoriasis and eczema, or the problem may be mistaken for eczema. If a doctor prescribed a biologic or a topical steroid for eczema and your rash became worse or more defined, you’ve probably been misdiagnosed and have psoriasis. 

If you have an unexplained rash on your body, call us at Seacoast Dermatology for an appointment or use our online scheduling tool. Our offices are located in Dover, Exeter, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.