Types of Psoriasis According to the Body Area

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Why Body Area Matters

Your skin texture varies according to the location. The skin on the soles of your feet is usually thick, which can handle the pressure of walking daily. On the other hand, the skin around your armpits or eyes is very thin and delicate. Because of this massive difference, a thick, heavy ointment may work on the thick skin to break down the rough, scaly patches but can completely damage that delicate skin. 

In Ayurveda, the location-based approach is perfect for treating and managing psoriasis. The root cause or imbalance of energies can be different in each specific type of psoriasis, causing its symptoms in specific body areas. If there is an imbalance in Vata dosha, then it may cause dry, rough, and itchy patches on the elbows or knees. Meanwhile, an imbalance in Pitta can cause inflammation, redness, or spots on the soles or palms. Treating the problems according to the specific type can help in better management and results.

Scalp Psoriasis

It is a chronic autoimmune condition caused by your own immune system, which makes your skin cells reproduce new skin cells more quickly, resulting in thick, discoloured patches of skin (plaques) on your scalp and other areas around your scalp. These areas may include your forehead, hairline, the back of your neck, and the skin around your ears. It can be triggered by certain lifestyle factors such as alcohol or tobacco consumption, certain medications, stress, or any autoimmune disease. 

In Ayurveda, this condition is usually correlated with kitibha kushtha or Ekakustha, a long-term skin condition usually triggered by a heavy imbalance in the body energies, mainly Vata and Kapha. The focus of Ayurveda is treating the disease from within by assessing the root cause, and then purifying the blood, balancing the internal energies, eliminating toxins, and regulating the immune system.

Nails Psoriasis

It's a type of psoriasis that mainly affects the nails of your fingers and toes. It's an autoimmune condition in which your immune system gets confused and starts making new cells that reproduce quickly. Nail psoriasis usually appears alongside psoriatic rashes on other parts of the body as well. It can happen to anyone, but usually it is seen in people who are over 40 years old, also have psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis, and have psoriatic arthritis. In Ayurveda, it is commonly understood as Kushtha Roga, a skin disease caused by an imbalance in the Vata and Kapha doshas, along with the accumulation of toxins, Ama, in the body, which also affects the Rakta (blood) and Mamsa (tissue) Dhatus.

Psoriasis On Palms And Soles

Psoriasis usually affects the whole skin of your body, which also includes your palms (hands) and soles (feet), which is the result of overactive symptoms. It usually causes itchy, scaly, and discolored skin, called plaque, on your hands and feet. Along with palms and soles,  it can also affect fingers and toes, and the webbing between your fingers and toes. 

The symptoms of psoriasis differ for each type, and they affect the skin on your hands and feet differently. In Ayurveda, hands and feet psoriasis is understood as Vipadika, a subtype of Ksudra Kushta, which is caused by an imbalance between the Vata and Pitta doshas and ama accumulation.

Psoriasis On Genital And Skin-Fold Areas

Genital psoriasis, also called inverse psoriasis, is a skin condition that mostly affects the skin area around your genitals. It causes patches of painful, flaky, discolored, and itchy skin around the genital areas. The symptoms usually differ from type to type because the skin patches are usually moist rather than dry and scaly, but they usually have the same cause. The most common affected areas are the vulva, penins or scrotum, or the skin above your genitals (pubis). In Ayurveda, genital psoriasis is understood as a form of Kushtha, a chronic skin disorder, caused by an imbalance in the body doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, along with deep-seated impurities in the blood and tissues of the body. 

Psoriasis On Face, Ears, Elbows And Knees

Psoriasis on the face, ears, and knees is a long-term autoimmune condition. It causes raised, inflamed patches covered with silver or thick scales on the skin of the face, ears, elbows, and knees. The skin can be affected by many types, including plaque, inverse, guttate, pustular, 

erythroderma, and erythrodermic psoriasis, and the symptoms may differ according to the type.  Ayurveda views this condition as Eka Kushtha or Kitibha, caused by Tridoshaj disorder, an imbalance in the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas and accumulation of toxins (Ama), where blood and skin tissues get impure. 

How Treatment Changes By Location

When you get treatment for psoriasis, you just cannot use the same cream or ointment everywhere and expect it to work. Your skin is completely different, and treatment differs with each specific affected body area. Because of this, the treatment may differ according to the location. If you have psoriasis on the genital areas, then a soft, calm, and mild moisturizing herbal cream or lotion will be used there. And if you have psoriasis on the elbows or knees, then a good thick cream will be used to treat the problem.

When Specialist Care Is Needed

Many warning signs shouldn't be ignored and require urgent medical care:

• If you have red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales.
• If the patches start spreading to other areas of the body.
• If you also have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling along with skin symptoms.
• If the psoriasis symptoms don't let you do your day-to-day activities.
• If you have no improvement even after using over-the-counter creams or home remedies
• If you experience severe itching, burning, or pain in the affected areas.
• If your skin starts bleeding and does not heal even after proper care.

Early medical advice can help manage symptoms effectively and prevent the condition from worsening.

References

Psoriasis and Treatment: Past, Present and Future Aspects - PMC 

Advancements in understanding and treating psoriasis: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches - PMC