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Clinical

Genital psoriasis, in images

Jean Watkins describes some presentations and corresponding treatment of several cases of psoriasis of the genitals.

Flexural psoriasis of genital skin folds
Psoriasis is a common condition that affects about 2% of the population. Up to 7% of patients with psoriasis suffer from psoriasis in the genital area. It is also known as inverse psoriasis due to the different appearance of the rash, without the superficial scales. Inverse psoriasis is the most common presentation of psoriasis in the vulval, perianal region and the groin. It can occur in the axilla and under the breasts where moist, opposing skin surfaces are found. In such situations, the typical scaly psoriatic plaques 'rub off' due to friction as the skin surfaces rub together. The patient presents with symmetrical smooth, non-scaly reddened areas in the skin folds around the vulva or other site. It can affect men and women as well as children and teenagers. The diagnosis is usually a clinical one which can be backed if there are other signs of psoriasis such as nail changes, scaly plaques elsewhere on the body or on the scalp, but sometimes psoriasis is limited to the genital area.

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