What is this red, scaly patch on my skin?
6/2/2025 by Jenny Link, M.D.
Psoriasis is a relatively common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It causes people to develop red, raised plaques on their skin that have an overlying silvery scale. The knees and elbows are most commonly affected, but other body areas like the scalp, nails and groin/buttocks may also be affected. The plaques may itch, and they may bleed when scratched. Psoriasis is most common in adults but can also be present in children.
The immune system is overactive in psoriasis, causing your skin to proliferate (grow) too much. This effect leads to the development of red, scaly plaques. We do not know the exact cause of psoriasis, but most experts agree that it has a genetic basis. This means you may be more likely to be affected if you have a family member who has psoriasis. Smoking, alcohol use or abuse and obesity are also risk factors. In addition, infections can act as a trigger for psoriasis or can worsen existing psoriasis, especially a strep throat infection. Stress or certain medications can make psoriasis worse as well.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis. People with psoriasis can expect to have flare-ups of the disease from time to time. However, with treatment, most people can keep their flare-ups to a minimum.
When to be seen
If you think you might have psoriasis, you should see your primary care clinician. They can examine your skin and determine if psoriasis is the most likely cause of your rash, or if there might be another cause. Your primary care clinician can also help determine if you have any conditions that are sometimes associated with psoriasis of the skin, such as arthritis or abnormalities in your cholesterol or blood sugar.
You should see your primary care clinician as soon as possible if the rash is widespread, affects sensitive areas like the groin, or if there are associated joint symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, redness or swelling.
Treatment options
If the rash is mild and limited to only a few areas of your body, it can be treated by your primary care clinician. In these cases, prescription-strength topical creams, ointments or shampoos (depending on the location affected) can often be used to keep the rash at bay. For very mild disease, moisturizing cream and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can sometimes be enough to keep symptoms under control.
When to see a specialist
If your psoriasis is widespread, is not responding to topical treatments, or you have joint symptoms, your primary care clinician may recommend seeing a dermatologist or rheumatologist. These clinicians specialize in skin diseases (dermatologists) and joints (rheumatologists).
Other treatment options
Many treatments are now available for psoriasis if topical creams are not controlling your disease or if your condition is widespread. These treatments include:
- Light therapy.
- Medications taken by mouth.
- Biologics target the overactive immune system pathways involved in psoriasis and are given as an injection a few times a month or sometimes just a few times a year.
If needed, your primary care clinician can refer you to a specialist to discuss these treatment options.
Psoriasis can be a very frustrating disease and can cause distress due to the appearance of the rash on your skin. You are not alone in feeling this way. Reach out to your primary care clinician if you are struggling and psoriasis is affecting your mood. Support and treatments are available to help.
Jenny Link, M.D., is a physician in the Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She completed her medical degree at the University of Arkansas in her hometown of Little Rock. She then completed her dermatology residency at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, serving as chief resident in her final year. Following residency, she joined the staff at Mayo Clinic, where she has a special interest in complex medical dermatology, including psoriasis, dermatitis, cutaneous lymphoma and autoimmune diseases affecting the skin.