Reviewed: April 23, 2026 Medical Review: G. Michael Lewitt, M.D., Illinois Dermatology Institute, LLC, and Tina Bhutani, M.D., MAS, FAAD, University of California, San Francisco, Synergy Dermatology
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. About 80 to 90 percent of people living with psoriasis experience plaque psoriasis. [1]
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.
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 and thicker and more of a purple or grayish color or darker brown.
Plaques can appear anywhere on the body, although they most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows, and torso. Plaques generally appear symmetrically on the body, affecting the same areas of the body on the right and left sides. Psoriasis on certain locations, such as genitals, scalp, nails, hands, feet, and skin folds, called high-impact sites, can have an increased negative impact on quality of life, regardless of the total area affected by psoriasis.
Psoriasis is often classified by severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. This classification is historically based solely on the body surface area covered by psoriasis plaques and does not take into account high-impact sites or impacts on quality of life.
Plaque psoriasis often includes nail psoriasis, which may look like discoloration, pitting, or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
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.
Plaque psoriasis can be triggered by the same factors as other types of psoriasis, which include:
Learn more about triggers and flares by requesting a 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:
Over-the-counter (OTC) products may help manage symptoms if you have mild plaque psoriasis. If you are looking for OTC products to try, check out NPF's Seal of Recognition program. These products have been created or are intended to be non-irritating and safe for people with psoriasis.
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.
Get information on treatment options, tips on talking to your doctor, and a checklist of what to bring to your appointment.
Explore the NPF Care Path and take the first step toward getting care and living your healthiest life.
Similar symptoms may have you confused, so we talked with an expert about differentiating factors.
Psoriasis is a lifelong disease, also known as a chronic disease. Symptoms may disappear and reappear throughout the lifetime.
Plaque psoriasis is often treated with topicals (including steroids), phototherapy, biologic therapy, and oral systemics.
Learn about common triggers and symptoms and get your fillable flare tracker.
Last updated on 4/23/2026 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Medical Reviewers:
G. Michael Lewitt, M.D., is a partner at Illinois Dermatology Institute, LLC. Dr. Lewitt specializes in complex psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa, and alopecia areata. He also leads and performs medical dermatology clinical trials with Denova Research. He serves on the National Psoriasis Foundation's Medical Board and has contributed to several NPF articles and podcasts.
Tina Bhutani, M.D., MAS, FAAD, serves as CEO of Synergy Dermatology and an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Bhutani specializes in the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin diseases. She has led research focused on assessing and improving quality of life and mental health in patients with psoriasis by treating their skin disease effectively. Dr. Bhutani has published extensively on psoriasis in medical and scientific journals. She serves on the National Psoriasis Foundation's Medical Board and has contributed to several NPF articles and podcasts.
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