Psoriasis on the Legs

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 74% of people living with psoriasis have psoriasis on their legs, not including knees. [1] Leg psoriasis can impact quality of life and can be difficult to treat. [2]

Types of Psoriasis

There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, inverse, guttate, pustular, and erythrodermic. It is possible to have more than one type of psoriasis at one time and more than one type in a lifetime. Treatments may vary depending on the type and location of the psoriasis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriasis on the legs include:

• Red, brown, or purple patches of skin
• Patches of thick, raised skin (plaques)
• Itchy skin
• 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 legs 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.

Last updated on 10/30/2025 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.