Psoriasis (Ps) is a long term chronic scaling disease of the skin, which affects 2% - 3% of the UK population. It appears as red, raised scaly patches known as plaques. Any part of the skin surface may be involved but the plaques most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and scalp. It can be itchy but is not usually painful. Nail changes are present in 50% of people and 10% - 20% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.


Normally a skin cell matures in 21 – 28 days and during this time it travels to the surface, where it is lost in a constant invisible shedding of dead cells. In patches of psoriasis the turnover of skin cells is much faster, around 4 – 7 days, and this means that even live cells can reach the surface and accumulate with dead cells. The extent of psoriasis and how it affects an individual varies from person to person. Some may be mildly affected with a tiny patch hidden away on an elbow which does not bother them while others may have large visible areas of skin involved that significantly affect daily life and relationships. This process is the same wherever it occurs on the body. Psoriasis is not contagious.


Sensitive areas of the skin are defined as places where the skin is thinner and where two skin surfaces are in contact with each other, for example, skin flexures or folds. These areas tend to be more sensitive to treatment and include:
• Face: Facial psoriasis includes the eyebrows, the skin between the nose and the upper lip, upper forehead and the hairline. When psoriasis affects eyelids or eyelashes, these may become covered with scales with the edges of the eyelids becoming red and crusty. These can be irritated for long periods of time, with the rims of the lids turning up or down. If the rims turn down, the lashes may rub against the eyeball and cause further irritation. There may be over the counter products that could help with removing scales on the eyelids and eye margins. Consult your local pharmacist or your doctor.
• Ears: Psoriasis can occur both inside and around and behind the ear. Internally psoriasis can cause scale build up within the ear canal which could lead to temporary hearing loss or impairment. If you think this is the case please consult your doctor who will be able to remove the debris.
• Mouth and Nose: A minority group of people may suffer from psoriasis that may appear on the gums, the tongue, inside the cheek, inside the nose or on the lips. The appearance of psoriatic lesions is normally white or grey. It is very rare for these areas to be affected with psoriasis and people with these symptoms are strongly encouraged to have tests carried out to exclude other conditions. People who are unfortunate enough to have psoriasis in these areas can experience discomfort and in some cases the chewing and swallowing of food can be difficult and uncomfortable. If you suspect psoriasis in any of these locations please consult your doctor or dentist. Treatment for psoriasis in these locations usually involves the use of topical steroids and should always be used under the guidance of your doctor as prescribed
• Flexural psoriasis: Produces red well defined areas in skin folds (flexures) such as the armpits, between the buttocks and under the breasts. Scaling is minimal or absent. This type of psoriasis can be frequently irritated by rubbing and sweating due to its location in the skin folds and such other tender areas. Such areas can also be prone to yeast or fungal infections which might cause confusion. Excess weight can also make the situation worse.
• Genitalia and groin: As the term suggests, genital psoriasis is psoriasis in the genital area. Sometimes this can be the only area affected by psoriasis, and the problem can range from just a few small spots to large plaques. Usually genital psoriasis does not have the typical appearance of thick red scaly plaques that are seen in other areas. It appears as bright red, shiny patches of skin with no scale on top. The reason for this is that friction between the two skin surfaces in the groin rubs off the scales.


Psoriasis commonly affects sensitive areas, but it is not always easy to identify what the triggers are. In the armpits and in the flexures and groin area it may be worsened by tight clothing rubbing the skin, by deodorants or antiperspirants, or by contraceptives; sheaths, caps and spermicides, sanitary towels or tampons, harsh toilet paper, thrush or sexual intercourse.


The absence of scales is most obvious in the skin flexures or folds because the continual friction between the two skin surfaces rubs them off. The enclosed area of a skin fold and thinness of the skin in sensitive areas can affect the action of topically applied treatments (creams and ointments). In both there is a tendency for an increase in the absorption of the treatment through the skin thereby enhancing its effect and the adverse side effects such as skin thinning due to topical steroids. In addition, the potential for a cream or ointment to cause irritation is increased when it is applied in a flexure and comes into contact with two skin surfaces that are rubbing together.
For these reasons some creams and ointments are better than others for use in sensitive areas of the skin, while others are not recommended at all.


If you develop psoriasis in a sensitive area, you should discuss it with your doctor who will be able to advise you on suitable treatments.

Emollients are an important part of the daily care of psoriasis in all parts of the body, including the sensitive areas. They help to make the skin more comfortable. In addition, there is a range of topical treatments available – creams and ointments – that your doctor can prescribe.

Topical vitamin D creams and ointments are effective in treating psoriasis and some are less likely to cause irritation. However, others do have the potential to irritate sensitive areas. Some doctors recommend cautious use of vitamin D creams and ointments in sensitive areas.

Topical steroid creams may be recommended for sensitive areas. However, care should be taken with their use as the potential for increased absorption may lead to side effects such as skin thinning. For this reason low strength topical steroids are generally favoured for use in sensitive areas. It is also important that topical steroids are not used for long periods of time or without close supervision from your doctor. Treatment should never be stopped abruptly as this may trigger a rebound flare of your psoriasis.

Topical steroids may also be combined with antifungal? and anti-bacterial agents because infections with yeasts and bacteria in warm moist skin flexures are more common.

Dithranol and Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are not usually recommended for use in skin flexures because of their tendency to cause extreme irritation.

Coal tar preparations are not usually recommended in sensitive areas because they can be irritating but they can be useful in the hairline for scalp psoriasis.


Consult your doctor who may refer you to a dermatologist. You will need expert advice on the correct treatment because the face is a sensitive area. Psoriasis affecting the hairline and scalp is dealt with in more detail in our complementary leaflet Scalp Psoriasis.

There are organisations that specialise in camouflage make-up, including the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage Service and the Skin Camouflage Network.

However, make-up could interfere with the effectiveness of your topical psoriasis treatments and this is something that should be considered very carefully and discussed with your doctor. It is likely that if enough time has reasonably elapsed then make-up can be applied following treatment.

The treatments used for facial psoriasis should be used carefully and sparingly as creams and ointments can irritate the eyes and mouth areas. These should always be used under the guidance of your doctor. If you are unsure about using over the counter products such as make up, moisturisers etc, again consult your doctor or your pharmacist. This is because facial skin is delicate and irritation can easily occur. Using steroid medication for instance, may cause facial skin, to thin, appear shiny and be prone to spider veins.

If your eyelids are inflamed, washing the edges of the eyelids and/or eyelashes gently with a solution of water and sensitive shampoo could help. Using cotton buds or non irritating cotton pads can be useful for gently rubbing the lids to remove excess scales. After cleansing, depending on severity, corticosteroids may then be applied in accordance with your doctor’s advice. It should be noted if any topical steroids or other medication are overused in the eye region, glaucoma and/or cataracts may develop. It is always best to have your intra-ocular pressure checked regularly by an ophthalmologist during regular eye tests. It should be said however, that psoriasis of the eye is rare but if it should occur it can cause inflammation, dryness and discomfort and possibly some vision impairment. Any such infections that may be present can be treated with topical antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

Always consult your doctor if you are having any problems with your ears. Your doctor will be best advised on how to remove the excess scale build up that may affect the ear canal. You should bear in mind that the eardrum can easily be damaged so care should be taken when inserting anything into your ear. Impaction of scales can also occur if existing medication prescribed for the ear region is not used correctly inside the ear canal.


Good oral hygiene can aid and relieve oral discomfort. Your doctor or dentist will be best placed to advise you on the most effective methods to treat your psoriasis in and around the mouth.


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