1. Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Slideshow
2. Psoriasis Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
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 is an uncommon form of psoriasis. People with pustular psoriasis have clearly defined, raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus (pustules). The skin under and around these bumps is reddish. Pustular psoriasis may cause large portions of your skin to redden. Pustular psoriasis can occur alone or with plaque-type psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis is classified into one of several types, depending on your symptoms. Your lesions may be sudden (acute), long term (chronic), or somewhere in between (subacute). The generalized type affects your whole body with more than just skin tenderness. A generalized type with acute symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, headache, and joint pain is called the von Zumbusch type. Pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles is usually chronic and presents with red patches studded with white-to-yellow pustules. 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. Acrodermatitis continua is a rare type of pustular psoriasis that involves the fingertips. Fingernails may float away on lakes of pus. The lesions may be very painful and result in permanent nail destruction. The least common type is the juvenile, or infantile type, which occurs in children.

Must Read Articles Related to Types of Psoriasis

Guttate Psoriasis Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that looks like small, salmon-pink drops on the skin. The word guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning dr...learn more >>

Nail Psoriasis Psoriasis is a common condition. A person with psoriasis generally has patches of raised red skin with silvery scales. The affected skin may look shiny and red ...learn more >>

Plaque Psoriasis Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. The skin is red and covered with silvery scales and is inflamed. Patches of circular to oval shaped red p...learn more >>

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