Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis.  It can also be called psoriasis vulgaris (the regular English word “vulgar” means “common”).

The symptoms of plaque psoriasis are what make psoriasis notorious in the world of skin disorders:  Flaky, scaly, itchy skin that appears on the scalp, elbow, knees and torso.   Affected areas of the body also tend to become swollen, irritable and sore.

How Plaque Psoriasis Works:

An overabundance of dead skin causes an uncomfortable build up of scaliness and lesions (plaques).  The dead skin starts from the layer of skin lying underneath the surface (the dermis), eventually making it’s way out into the open to the outer layer of skin (the epidermis).  I’m betting “dermis” is where we get the word “Dermatology.”

Scraping or scratching off these plaques will most likely worsen one’s skin condition, as the plaques will grow back quickly only in a potentially more infected environment.