Being an irritating and long-lasting disease, psoriasis (image 1) can appear on legs unpredictably. Now there are almost no people who could ask: what does psoriasis look like? as far as everybody knows that it is characterized by red patches. It can affect any area, but in this article we’ll discuss psoriasis on legs.
Pictures of psoriasis on legs
The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on its type. Thus, psoriasis on legs (picture 1) can look differently, but more often a patient observes the plaques of an oval or irregular form. They can be located separately or join together becoming a large lesion. When they appear on a shin or knee, itching may happen. The skin of damaged areas especially around the joints is very dry and starts chapping, that is why psoriasis legs (images in the gallery) are painful.
In order to ease the pain, it is recommended to soften skin with oil rich cream. Besides, the high temperatures can provoke outstanding veins. In other words, this type of the skin disorder is rather annoying and cannot be compared for example with mild scalp psoriasis, which is almost unnoticeable in most cases and does not cause a lot of disturbance.
Pustular psoriasis on feet pictures
Pustular psoriasis on feet (picture 2) is a rather uncommon form of the disease but still it happens. The white small pustules spread all over an affected skin. They resemble an erythema looking like bumps filled with pus. But they also can be with scaling and crusts. The skin in this place is reddish. This subtype is easily recognized because absolutely differs from red patches.
Sometimes it can be accompanied with fever and cause fatal outcome if the needed measures are not taken in due time. Psoriasis on feet (photos below) results in annoying lesions on the soles. It is clear that in such location the bumps can be broken causing intense pain. If pustular psoriasis feet are flat and a patient is overweight or if his activity is connected with continuous standing, it can worsen the situation.
Early signs of psoriasis on feet images
Psoriasis develops in phases: initial stage, exacerbations, remission and damages not only skin but also internal parts and systems of the body. The early signs of psoriasis (pictures in the gall.) usually are chronic fatigue and weakness. In addition to this general state the rounded papules or typical bright red plaques appear on skin. At the early stages these formations are about a few millimeters in size, but after a while they enlarge and can reach 10 cm.
The skin becomes rough and thick covered with a horny layer. It happens because of intensive division of cells, which are not removed but stay on the surface. Psoriasis on feet (image 3) prevents from easy movement. It hurts and demands a special care including proper everyday hygiene and comfortable footwear. It is more disabling and sickly compared to guttate psoriasis, which can affect legs and cause mild itching.
Plaque psoriasis on legs pictures
So, plaque psoriasis on legs (picture 4) is rather common and looks like numerous large lesions covered with thick scales of silver color. Initially these psoriatic elements are isolated inflamed papules having an even contour which project above the skin surface a little bit. When touched those white scales can be removed, but if a patient breaks the scaly crusts, the stearin stain can occurs. Though, the horny scales may be removed just like a film at the terminal stage.
Also the pinpoint bleeding is possible if the capillaries are damaged. Plaque psoriasis on knees can become more complicated due to constant flection. In general, psoriasis on legs (pics at the bottom) is accompanied with affection of trunk and cause itching and burning. Even if they do not bother a lot, in most cases signs of plaque psoriasis are persistent: do not come and go but exist for years.
Psoriasis on toes symptoms pictures
When a person experiences psoriasis on feet, it does not mean that the toes must be affected too. This is an independent subtype of the disease, which can be easily confused with a fungal infection. Psoriasis on toes (picture 5) changes the skin of this part of body making it inflamed. Soon it starts cracking and swollen. The blisters may develop being rather painful.
Moreover, in severe cases the painful skin condition can be added by symptoms of psoriatic arthritis causing inflammation and stiffness in the joints with further deformations of toes. In order to treat it the physicians recommend doing particular exercises, protect joints and administer medications. So, psoriasis on feet ruins it, even nails thicken lifting from their bed.
Psoriasis on legs treatment
Treatment is chosen in accordance with the severity of the disease. Of course, its type and location do matter. Anyway psoriasis decreases quality of life and requires professional approach releasing pain and minimizing the outward appearances. Psoriasis on legs treatment includes various options. Light treatment for psoriasis means therapy by ultraviolet B and A penetrating the skin and slowing the process destructing the cells. These procedures are effective together with the psoralen – light-sensitizing medication. The sunlight for about 10 minutes daily also is highly recommended for this purpose.
Another method is topical treatment for psoriasis that helps to get rid of itching and other discomfort. The patient should apply various creams, lotions, sprays and foams putting them on the affected area and moisturizing it, helping to remove dead skin, opening the damaged place arranging the approach for other medications like steroid, which is prescribed for healing the inflammation.
