Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is caused by an overactive immune system and is associated with inflammation throughout the body. Symptoms may resolve and recur throughout a person's life.
Roughly 54% of people living with psoriasis have psoriasis on their arms, excluding elbows. [1] Psoriasis in the armpit is also called inverse psoriasis.
Symptoms of psoriasis on the arms include:
On Caucasian skin, plaques typically appear as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. On skin of color, the plaques may appear darker, thicker, and more of a purple or grayish color or darker brown.
The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. Psoriasis plaques occur because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin.
Inflammation caused by psoriasis can impact other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also experience related health conditions. One in three people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis on the arms can be triggered by the same factors as other types of psoriasis. Common psoriasis triggers include:
Learn more about triggers and flares by downloading your free Flare Guide and Symptom Tracker.
A health care provider will take several factors into consideration when making a diagnosis for psoriasis, including:
Although there is no cure, there are more effective psoriasis treatments today than ever before. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms as well as lower the risk of developing psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.
Treatments for psoriasis include:
There is no known way to prevent the onset of psoriasis, however, there are many ways that you can manage your triggers to reduce flares.
Psoriatic disease is lifelong, and symptoms may resolve and recur throughout the lifetime.
While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments today are more effective than ever before and research into new treatments, as well as a cure, is ongoing. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms and may decrease the associated inflammation that can lead to psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and depression.
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These products have been created or are intended to be non-irritating and safe for people with psoriasis.
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Learn more about locations and types of psoriasis, diagnosis and treatment, and inflammation in the body and comorbidities.
Last updated on 7/25/2025 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
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