Psoriasis in the Mouth

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 50% of people living with psoriasis have psoriasis on their face. [1] In rare cases, psoriasis can affect the mouth (lips, gums, tongue, and cheek) and normally appears with other skin affected by psoriasis.

Facial psoriasis is common in people who have had psoriasis for a long time, a family history of psoriasis, and severe psoriasis. [2] People of all skin tones can get psoriasis on the face.

Psoriasis on the face is considered a high-impact site, which can have an increased negative impact on quality of life, regardless of the total area affected by psoriasis. Because facial psoriasis is very visible, it can lead to a fear of what others think of you. This social stigma may make you feel ashamed, embarrassed, depressed, or think about suicide. [2] However, there are treatments that can manage your psoriasis and help you to feel more confident in your skin.

Symptoms

Psoriasis plaques appear as raised, inflamed, and scaly patches of skin that may also be itchy and painful. 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.

Symptoms in the mouth include redness, burning, bleeding, and difficulty chewing and swallowing food. If you have symptoms in your mouth, a dentist and a dermatologist can help you get a correct diagnosis and work together to treat your psoriasis.

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 in the mouth 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.

Psoriasis in and around the mouth should be treated carefully as the skin here is very sensitive. Always follow your provider's instructions when applying medication or using a treatment to avoid skin thinning or other side effects.

Treatments for psoriasis include:

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

Your provider may also recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) cleanser or moisturizer as part of your treatment plan. If you are looking for certain OTC products to try, check out the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition program. These products have been created or are intended to be non-irritating and safe for people with psoriasis.

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

A girl with dark curly hair takes a selfie with a skincare face mask on holding a cucumber and sticking her tongue out.

Skin Care E-Kit

Learn about developing a skin-care routine, tips for managing skin health, psoriasis for all skin colors, and over-the-counter products.

Request your e-kit

Psoriasis Simplified

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

Take the next step

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Tips and Tools

Weekly updates on living your best life with psoriatic disease.

Facial Psoriasis Fact Sheet

Learn about treatment options and over-the-counter products for facial psoriasis.

Get your fact sheet

Last updated on 7/10/2025 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.

References

Canpolat F, Cemil BC, Eskioğlu F, Akis HK. Is facial involvement a sign of severe psoriasis? Eur J Dermatol. 2008;18(2):169-171. doi:10.1684/ejd.2008.0363
Alpsoy E, Polat M, FettahlıoGlu-Karaman B, et al. Internalized stigma in psoriasis: A multicenter study. J Dermatol. 2017;44(8):885-891. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13841