Top 7 Types of Psoriasis

People often think of psoriasis as a single skin condition. In fact, there are multiple types of psoriasis, though people will typically have only one type at a time.
Each type of psoriasis has very distinct symptoms and characteristics and can appear on the skin in a variety of ways.
It's important to know—and share with others—that no matter where it is on the body or what it looks like, psoriasis is not contagious.
Plaque Psoriasis
This is the most common type. About 8 in 10 people with psoriasis have this kind. You may hear your doctor call it "psoriasis vulgaris."
Plaque psoriasis causes raised, inflamed, red skincovered with silvery, white scales. These patches may itch and burn. It can appear anywhere on your body, but often pops up in these areas:
Elbows
Knees
Scalp
Lower back
Guttate Psoriasis
This type often starts in children or young adults. It happens in less than 2% of cases.
Guttate psoriasis causes small, pink-red spots on your skin. They often appear on your:
Trunk
Upper arms
Thighs
Scalp
Triggers include:
Upper respiratory infection such as strep throat or tonsillitis
Stress
Skin injury
Certain drugs such as beta-blockers
This type of psoriasis may go away within a few weeks, even without treatment. Some cases, though, are more stubborn and require treatment.
Inverse Psoriasis
This type shows up as areas that are bright red, smooth, and shiny, but don't have scales. It's usually found in these locations:
Armpits
Groin
Under the breasts
Skin folds around the genitals and buttocks
Inverse psoriasis may worsen with sweating and rubbing. A buildup of yeast may trigger it.
Pustular Psoriasis
This kind of psoriasis is uncommon and mostly appears in adults. It causes pus-filled bumps (pustules) surrounded by red skin. These may look infectious, but are not.
This type may show up on one area of your body, such as the hands and feet. Sometimes it covers most of your body, which is called "generalized" pustular psoriasis. When this happens it can be very serious, so get immediate medical attention.
Generalized pustular psoriasis can cause:
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Fast heart rate
Muscle weakness
Triggers include:
Topical medicine (ointments you put on your skin) or systemic medicine (drugs that treat your whole body), especially steroids
Suddenly stopping systemic drugs or strong topical steroids that you used over a large area of your body
Getting too much ultraviolet (UV) light without using sunscreen
Pregnancy
Infection
Stress
Exposure to certain chemicals
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This type is the least common, but it's very serious. It affects most of your body and causes widespread, fiery skin that appears burned. You might also have:
Severe itching, burning, or peeling
A faster heart rate
Changes in body temperature
If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away. You may need to get treated in a hospital. This type of psoriasis can cause severe illness from protein and fluid loss. You may also develop an infection, pneumonia, or congestive heart failure.
Triggers include:
Suddenly stopping your systemic psoriasis treatment
An allergic drug reaction
Severe sunburn
Infection
Medications such as lithium, anti-malarial drugs, cortisone, or strong coal tarproducts
Erythrodermic psoriasis may also happen if your psoriasis is hard to control.
Nail Psoriasis
Up to half of those with psoriasis have nail changes. This is even more common in people who have psoriatic arthritis, which affects your joints.
Common symptoms include:
Pitting of your nails
Tender, painful nails
Separation of the nail from the bed
Color changes (yellow-brown)
Chalk-like material under your nails
You're also more likely to also have a fungal infection.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This is a condition where you have both psoriasis and arthritis (joint inflammation). In 70% of cases, people have psoriasis for about 10 years before developingpsoriatic arthritis. About 90% of people with it also have nail changes. The most common symptoms are:
Painful, stiff joints that are worse in the morning and after rest
Sausage-like swelling of the fingers and toes

Warm joints that may be discolored