[Medical Q&A] Where does psoriasis grow?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Qi Manli, Chief Physician, Tianjin People's Hospital

The scalp is one of the most common sites for psoriasis. Like psoriasis on other parts of the skin, the scalp will also have red plaques with clear boundaries, covered with silvery white scales. The difference is that we also have hair on our scalp. The increasingly thick scales will act like rubber bands, tightening the hair into bundles, making it look like a bunch of brushes growing on the head, called "bundles".

Psoriasis can also develop on the genitals. About 60% of psoriasis patients will develop genital psoriasis, which is a reverse type of psoriasis that occurs in a specific area. The rash is usually symmetrical, and the clinical manifestations are quite varied. It may be moist gray plaques, or smooth non-scaly erythema, or even scaly plaques that are connected to the outside of the labia majora.

Psoriasis can also occur on the scrotum or penis, most commonly on the glans penis. Rashes in these sensitive areas can cause shame and psychological pressure on patients, thus affecting their normal sexual life; the rashes in these areas are prone to maceration, cracking and pain, which can reduce the quality of sexual life and even cause sexual dysfunction.