Psoriasis is a very uncomfortable and disfiguring skin disorder that comes and goes in cycles of remissions and flare-ups over a lifetime.

There are several different forms of psoriasis with specific characteristics:

• Psoriasis vulgaris is commonest plaque type

•Psoriatic arthritis is a joint disease associated with psoriasis. It involves inflammation of any joints (arthritis), although the joints of the hands, knees, and ankles tend to be most commonly affected

• Guttate psoriasis shows as small, drop-like spots and often starts in childhood or young adulthood and mainly occur on torso and limbs

• Inverse psoriasis occurs in the folds of the underarms, navel, groin, and buttocks and is characterized by bright red, shiny lesions

• Pustular psoriasis shows as small, pus-filled yellowish blisters on the palms of the hands and/or feet

• Palmoplantar psoriasis involves the palms and the soles

• Erythrodermic psoriasis is characterized by the periodic, fiery redness of the skin and shedding of scales

• Nail psoriasis produces yellow pitted nails that can be confused with nail fungus

• Scalp psoriasis causes localized hair loss, plenty of dandruff, and severe itching