Pustular Psoriasis

1. Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Slideshow
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3. How Much Is Psoriasis Affecting Your Life?

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Pustular Psoriasis Overview
• Pustular Psoriasis Causes
• Pustular Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Diagnosis of Pustular Psoriasis
• Pustular Psoriasis Treatment
• Medical Treatment
• Medications for Pustular Psoriasis
• Other Therapy
• Pustular Psoriasis Prevention
• Prognosis of Pustular Psoriasis
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information on Pustular Psoriasis
• Web Links
• Pustular Psoriasis Pictures
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Viewer Comments: Pustular Psoriasis - Symptoms

Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis appears as clearly defined, raised bumps that are filled with a white, thick fluid composed of white blood cells, pus. The skin under and around these bumps is red. Although pus is often a sign of infection, there is no evidence that this plays any role in pustular psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis. Note the clearly defined, raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus (pustules). The skin under and around these bumps is red.

The skin changes you may notice before, during, or after an episode of pustular psoriasis may be similar to those of regular psoriasis. People with the usual skin symptoms of psoriasis have patches of raised skin with scales.

Pustular psoriasis is classified into one of several types, depending on your symptoms. Your symptoms may be sudden and severe (acute), long term (chronic), or somewhere in between (subacute). The generalized type (so called von Zumbusch type) affects your whole body with more than just skin symptoms producing a generalized feeling of systemic illness often with fever. A ring-shaped (annular, or circinate) type has also been described. It is usually subacute or chronic, and people with this type do not usually have symptoms aside from the skin symptoms. Pustules may be localized to the palms and soles (palmoplantar pustulosis) or to the fingertips and nails (acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau). The least common type is the juvenile, or infantile type, which occurs in children.

Pustular psoriasis is not common. In Japan, only about 7.46 people per 1,000,000 have pustular psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis affects all races. In adults, it affects men and women equally. In children, it affects boys somewhat more often than girls. The average age of people with pustular psoriasis is 50 years. Children 2-10 years of age can be affected, but this is rare.

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