Symptoms and Signs of Plaque Psoriasis

Doctor's Notes on Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a systemic disease of the skin that produces plaques (elevated skin abnormalities). Signs and symptoms start out as small scaly red bumps that come together and form elevated skin areas (plaques) with a pinkish-reddish base and scaly skin that may be a whitish color; the plaques are often itchy. Although any skin area may be involved, it occurs most often in patches on the elbows, knees and scalp.

The exact cause is unknown; the disease is thought to be the result of genetics and environmental problems that allow some factor to trigger the disease.