Psoriasis usually shows up in early adulthood, around college age (as was the case for me).  It can also appear in younger children or it might not manifest itself until well past the college years (remember the one thing you can safely predict about psoriasis: it’s unpredictable).

Usually psoriasis will appear gradually, affecting skin around the scalp and elbows.  It seems like a harmless rash at first, like an allergic reaction.  But from that point the skin will oftentimes worsen both in appearance and in general irritability.  Affected areas of the skin can become any combination of swollen, itchy, red, dry, flaky or scaly.

Unfortunately scraping off the dead skin will not discourage the disease — this actually tends to exacerbate the situation, as scratched skin can become infected and thus even more inflamed.

When you start to suspect that something is wrong, you should probably make an appointment with your dermatologist to determine conclusively whether you have psoriasis so you can make purposeful, informed decisions from that point forward.

I have noticed a gradual spreading of the itchiness that psoriasis causes on my scalp.  This may or may not be in my head, or maybe it’s because I’m so accustomed to itching that I have started feeling like I should itch everywhere.

In any case, I have noticed some symptoms on my ears and forehead a few times throughout the day, whenever there is an inflammation.

One thing about psoriasis is that it’s unpredictable.  It can get worse, or it can go away altogether (for a while at least).  It can spread or it can stay on the same area it started and never spread.  In my case, I am hoping that, as the years go on, it does not spread very much, or at all.

I have noticed without a doubt that elevated levels of stress can inflame my psoriasis.  This is especially obvious when I’m at work, where I am constantly reminded of deadlines and the constant need to produce more or else.