Inverse psoriasis, also known as intertriginous or flexural psoriasis, is a chronic auto-immune condition that causes reddish, shiny, and itchy rashes on skin folds where the skin rubs against each other, like armpits and groins. People often refer to this condition as hidden psoriasis because our clothes usually cover the skin folds.

Overview

What is Inverse Psoriasis?

Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that appears in the areas where the skin rubs against each other, including:

Armpits
Belly button and belly folds
Below the breasts
Groin
Around genitals
Between buttocks
Abdomen
Neck folds

This condition is quite challenging, as the skin fold areas are sensitive. Because of the location, this condition may trigger yeast, fungal, or bacterial infections in affected areas. It also causes discomfort during sexual activities.

Symptoms

Symptoms of inverse psoriasis include:

Smooth and shiny, discolored rashes in red, brown, purple, or pink according to the skin color.
Fissures (cracks) in genital regions
Excess itching in the affected areas
Rashes that are moist and damp
Foul smell in affected regions
Swelling
Soreness when touched
Irritation due to sweating
Inflammation.

These symptoms are usually painful and may bleed as the skin folds are very tender and sensitive. This condition of inverse psoriasis is complicated and challenging, which hurts the quality of life.

Causes

Inverse psoriasis is categorized as an immune-mediated disorder, so its exact cause has not been found yet. However, after getting affected by the condition, it causes the immune system to overreact, which leads to the rapid production of new skin cells. For a healthy person, the skin cells usually shed and grow every 30 days. But for people with inverse psoriasis, these new skin cells grow rapidly in 3 to 4 days. As the process is very quick, the dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin instead of shedding. These accumulations affect the skin, causing psoriatic rashes. Also, 21–30% of people suffering from other forms of psoriasis develop this inverse psoriasis.

Who does inverse psoriasis affect?

Inverse psoriasis can affect people of any age, but adults are more likely to be affected as immune systems get weaker as people get older.

Also, inverse psoriasis can be triggered in people with:

Genetics of family members with psoriasis
Skin injuries like cuts, wounds, or scrapes
Excess stress and tension
Overdosage of certain high-dose medications
The habit of smoking tobacco products
Excess fat and obesity
The habit of consuming excess alcohol
Skin infections from bacteria, fungus, or yeast

Difference between psoriasis and inverse psoriasis?

Factors	Psoriasis	Inverse Psoriasis
Condition	Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its cells, mistaking them for foreign cells.	Inverse psoriasis is the same auto-immune disease as a type of psoriasis. But its many characteristics differ from those of psoriasis.
Forms	It is a common form that has many types and affects various parts of the body.	This is a type of psoriasis that primarily affects the skin folds.
Causes	Not scientifically proven yet, but may be triggered by various factors.	Not scientifically proven yet, but may be triggered by various factors.
Symptoms	It usually causes reddish and slivery scaly plaque that is thick and inflamed. The affected areas experience excess itching, burning, and swelling.	Despite being a type of psoriasis, this condition occurs in the skin folds that are usually moist. The affected areas will have rashes that are shiny, smooth, and more prone to irritation.
Common Areas	As a common form of all types, it can occur in any part, like the scalp, joints, nails, or lower back.	It occurs only in the skin folds, where the skin rubs against each other. Common areas are the buttocks, armpits, groins, neck folds, and under breasts.
Triggers	Stress, skin injuries, infections, and high-dosage medications are the most common triggers.	It can also be triggered by the triggers of psoriasis, but being in skin folds, sweating, and friction in skin folds trigger this condition the most.
Mostly Affects	This can affect people of any age, but it mostly occurs in people aged 15–35.	This condition mostly affects older adults who have a weaker immune system.
Complications	In the worst case of this condition, psoriasis may develop into psoriatic arthritis, which causes the loss of affected bones and may become life-threatening if not diagnosed properly.	This condition may allow various other infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or yeast.

How does inverse psoriasis impact daily life?

As this condition occurs in sensitive areas of the skin, it causes discomfort even during routine physical activities like walking and driving.
Wearing our favorite clothes of our choice cannot be done as tightly, and certain fabrics may worsen the condition.
Affecting sensitive areas of skin, people with this condition may feel low self-esteem and embarrassment.
The chronic nature of this condition may lead to anxiety and stress for the affected people.

Management and Treatment

Can inverse psoriasis go away?

Inverse psoriasis is a chronic condition that has no scientifically proven cure. The affected people may experience the symptoms disappearing and flaring up again. A doctor’s prescription may provide relief from the symptoms.

What medications or treatments are used?

- Topical Medicines: If you have mild rashes, doctors provide effective ointments like xemsis, lotions, or corticosteroid creams that reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Oral Drugs: If your rashes are a little severe, doctors may provide medications containing acitretin, methotrexate, or apremilast that are effective in treating the symptoms. These medications may have complex dosages and side effects. So doctors may recommend avoiding some food types. It’s crucial to follow their guidelines.
- Injections: If your symptoms are severe and painful, doctors may recommend biological treatments or injections like adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab. These injections may reduce the pain and severity of the condition.
- Phototherapy: If your inverse psoriasis symptoms are very severe, doctors may recommend this phototherapy treatment. This treatment involves the process of passing ultraviolet lasers to your affected areas. The process is complex and may have some side effects. It is recommended only for severe cases of psoriasis.

Home Remedies and Prevention

Bathing in oatmeal mixed with lukewarm water provides relief from irritation caused by inverse psoriasis. However, the bathing time should be limited, as showering too long will inflame the affected skin more.
Use mild soaps recommended by your doctor.
Wear loose, cotton clothes that allow the affected areas to breathe.
Apply pure coconut oil along with your ointments to keep the skin hydrated and reduce inflammation.
You can ask your doctor to prescribe medicinal powder so that it can be used in the affected areas of skin folds to absorb the moisture.
Engage in physical activities and avoid stress.
Follow a healthy lifestyle and keep your surroundings free from dirt and microbes.
Applying pure turmeric paste to the affected areas helps reduce inflammation, as turmeric has rich anti-inflammatory properties.
Patients with inverse psoriasis have a higher risk of developing other complications like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, obesity, or stroke. So these patients must keep in touch with doctors regularly.

Conclusion

Inverse psoriasis is a long-lasting condition that comes and goes throughout life. Affecting sensitive areas, this type of psoriasis impacts the quality of life. Treatments and medications work in stages to relieve you of the condition. Consistency in following the doctor’s guidelines and keeping hope is the best option to overcome this psoriasis.

Reference

WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/inverse-psoriasis
National Psoriasis Foundation: https://www.psoriasis.org/inverse-psoriasis/
Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/inverse-psoriasis
Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314259
National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6997231/
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22852-inverse-psoriasis

Rakhul Mathivanan

Rakhul Mathivanan, a writer and filmmaker, focuses on creating innovative and unique content through directing short films, writing scripts, blogs, articles, case studies, and website content. He loves to watch movies, read books, listen to music, and travel. He has also had expertise in the field of writing and filmmaking for over a year and works closely with Xemsis by providing them with well-researched blogs about psoriasis.

Around the world, millions of people suffer from psoriasis, a skin disorder. It is essential to know about the various forms of psoriasis and what causes them. Let us go over the different types, symptoms, and effects of psoriasis, as well as how it affects everyday life, in this blog.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune skin condition that makes skin cell growth excessive, which leads to the formation of thick layers and red areas covered with white scales. These patches, known as plaques, can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Psoriasis is not contagious and does not spread.

Types of psoriasis

1. Plaque Psoriasis

About 80% of cases of psoriasis are of this type, which is the most common. It looks like raised red patches with silvery-white scales covering them. These patches, which frequently appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, can be painful and itchy.

2. Guttate Psoriasis

Little red, scaly spots that look like drops of water are a sign of guttate psoriasis, which typically first appears in childhood or early adulthood. The scalp, arms, legs, and body can all develop these types of psoriasis. Similar to throat infections, bacterial infections can occasionally cause guttate psoriasis.

3. Inverse Psoriasis

The areas most commonly affected by inverse psoriasis are the skin folds under the arms, under the breasts, and on the abdomen. It appears as red, smooth patches of skin that may become irritated from sweating and rubbing. The sensitive areas where inverse psoriasis occurs can make it extremely uncomfortable.

4. Pustular Psoriasis

The main symptom of this type of psoriasis is the development of bumps, which are pus-filled wounds covered in red, inflammatory skin. There are two types of pustular psoriasis: localized and generalized, which affect different body parts.

5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare but severe form of psoriasis that typically causes severe pain, burning, and itching in addition to typical skin redness and scaling. It could affect the body’s capacity to regulate body temperature and fluid balance, which could lead to issues like dehydration and infection.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:

Red, raised patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales
Itching or burning in affected areas
Dry, cracked skin
Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
Stiff and swollen joints

Impact on Daily Life

Psoriasis can significantly affect day-to-day functioning, both physically and emotionally. Psoriasis comes with two symptom scales and plaques that make a person more self-conscious and feel ashamed, which can lower their quality of life and cause them to stay inactive socially. Additionally, the itching, pain, and discomfort associated with psoriasis can interfere with sleep, work, and activities of daily living.

Managing Psoriasis with Xemsis Ointment

Xemsis ointment is a topical treatment designed to help manage psoriasis symptoms. Its unique formula contains all-natural ingredients that soothe inflammation, reduce itching, and promote the healing of the skin in just 7 days. It prevents skin growth and helps reduce scaling and itching. After using this ointment, many users report significant improvements in their psoriasis symptoms. With Xemsis , you can unhide your psoriasis and restore normal skin faster in just 7 days.

In Conclusion

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that results in plaques—red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis comes in various forms, each with unique types and signs. While psoriasis can impact daily life and quality of life, effective treatments like Xemsis ointment are available to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. It is important to know the type and stay cautious about psoriasis.

If you suspect you have psoriasis or are experiencing symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. With proper care and management, individuals with psoriasis can lead fulfilling and productive lives.