Psoriasis on the Elbows

Overview

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 78% of people living with psoriasis have psoriasis on their elbows. [1]

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriasis on the elbows include:

Red, brown, or purple patches of skin
Patches of thick, raised skin (plaques)
Itching
Irritation, burning, or stinging
Pustules or blisters
Dry skin that may crack or bleed
Flaking of dead skin

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.

Causes & Triggers

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 elbows can be triggered by the same factors as other types of psoriasis. Common psoriasis triggers include:

Stress
Certain medications
Smoking tobacco
Alcohol
Injuries or trauma to the skin
Illness, such as infections
Changes in weather
Diet

Learn more about triggers and flares by downloading your free Flare Guide and Symptom Tracker.

Diagnosis

A health care provider will take several factors into consideration when making a diagnosis for psoriasis, including:

The appearance of the skin. Different types of psoriasis have different appearances.
The location of psoriasis. Certain types of psoriasis are more common in certain locations.
Itch of the skin. This is a common symptom of psoriasis.
A skin biopsy (the removal of a small piece of skin to be looked at under a microscope). A biopsy may also be done to determine if it is psoriasis or another skin condition.

Treatment & Management

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:

Topicals, including over-the-counter topicals, topical steroids, and topical non-steroids
Phototherapy
Systemics, including oral, biologic, and biosimilar treatments

Prevention

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.

Outlook/Prognosis

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.

Why treat psoriasis

Additional Resources

Seal of Recognition

These products have been created or are intended to be non-irritating and safe for people with psoriasis.

Find products

Psoriasis Simplified

Explore the NPF Care Path and take the first step toward getting care and living your healthiest life.

Take the next step

Illustrated graphic of people around a rocket ship and computer.

Tips and Tools

Weekly updates on living your best life with psoriatic disease.

Get the Facts of Psoriatic Disease

Learn more about locations and types of psoriasis, diagnosis and treatment, and inflammation in the body and comorbidities.

Get the facts

Last updated on 7/25/2025 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.

References

Bhutani, M. D., MAS, FAAD, Haberman, M. D., MSCI, Khattri, M. D., Lebwohl, M. D., & Feldman, M. D., Ph. D. (2025). The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pocket Guide: Treatment algorithms and management options (9th ed.). National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/the-pocket-guide/