Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis is a skin condition found under the flaps of the skin. It occurs in areas that rub together and where sweat accumulates.  It generally occurs in armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other flexion areas like skin folds.

The affected areas are inflamed, look bright with smooth skin patches. It may be painful or itchy. Skin rubbing together also makes the condition worse.

Plaque Psoriasis, aside from being the most common type, is still just psoriasis.

There are a number of names that have been given to various "types" of psoriasis. Prior to plaque psoriasis being called this, it was simply called psoriasis. (Earlier, before psoriasis got to be defined, the condition in general was sometimes thought to be leprosy!)

As to the "types" of psoriasis, psoriasis on the scalp came to be called scalp psoriasis. This started many decades ago, naming the psoriasis condition according to where on the body you had it. It’s still the same psoriasis, but it changes its appearance acording to where on the body you have it. For obvious reasons (hair mass and less skin tissue), that on the scalp generally has a different appearance than does psoriasis on the elbows and knees.

Psoriasis is characterized by dry, flaky skin. Inverse psoriasis then, occurs in places on the body where constant rubbing of skin against skin removes the flakes and the skin areas look different, generally red and inflamed, but smooth. It's still psoriasis; it just looks different because of where it occurs. 

Generally then, there are various "types" of Psoriasis. One type of this condition is Inverse Psoriasis, which is categorized as a non infectious, auto-immune condition that generally affects the skin folds all over the body such as armpit, skin under the breasts, groins, buttocks and skin folds under the genitals. These are specific places that are often subjected to irritation because of frequent rubbing and excessive sweating.

Inverse psoriasis starts as small, red spots or lesions in the folds of the body. This can include the armpits, the area beneath the breasts, the skin beneath fat folds of the abdomen, the creases in the groin and the creases in the urogenital folds. It can also show up in the gluteal cleft or the space between your buttocks cheeks. It occurs more severely and more commonly in people who are overweight because they have more skin folds that get involved in this kind of psoriasis.

The causes of Plaque psoriasis, Scalp psoriasis and Inverse Psoriasis -all types of psoriasis- are believed to be genetically related. They are also observed to be a stress related condition. The immune system, if triggered, speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. This causes Plaque Psoriasis on open areas of the skin, Scalp Psoriasis on the scalp and Inverse Psoriasis where the skin rubs against itself.

They are all related, different "branches" of the same psoriasis "tree". None of the types of psoriasis are pleasant to have...