Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesAssociated ConditionsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Associated Conditions
Diagnosis
Treatment
Skin plaques are elevated, solid, superficial lesions that are typically more than 1 centimeter (a little more than half an inch) in diameter.These lesions are associated with a number of skin conditions, most commonly psoriasis.
The wordplaqueis French for “plate,” which is fitting because skin plaques often look like miniature (dirty) dishes.
This article discusses different types of skin plaques and the conditions that cause them. It also explains how to care for and treat affected skin.
Chaichan Pramjit / EyeEm / Getty Images
Skin Plaque Appearance and Symptoms
A skin plaque can be flat or appear as a thickened area of the skin that isn’t visibly elevated above the surface of the skin.
Skin plaques can have defined borders or not, and they can take on many different shapes, including:
Plaques can appear anywhere on the body, but they most often appear on the elbows,knees, scalp and lower back.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPolygonal plaque psoriasis.Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
The symptoms associated with plaques vary depending upon the skin condition present (see below.) Generally, however, there are a few symptoms associated with plaques related to any condition:
Photos of Psoriasis Plaques
What Causes Plaques on Skin?
There are likely several different mechanisms behind the formation of plaques, thoughplaque psoriasishas been studied most extensively.
Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it’s thought to be associated with the immune system and a type of white blood cell: the T lymphocyte, or T cell.
T cells are constantly working to fend off viruses and bacteria, but for those with psoriasis, T cells are overactive and accidentally fight off healthy skin cells.
In turn, there is an overproduction of healthy skin cellsandmore T cells and white blood cells, which disrupts the skin-shedding cycle.
New skin cells reach the outermost layer of the skin too quickly: in days when this typically takes weeks.
Because the dead skin and white blood cells can’t shed fast enough, they build up and create thick, scaly plaques on the surface of the skin.
There are several different types of skin rashes and conditions in which plaques may be present. These include:
Eczema
Eczemais also called atopic or allergic dermatitis. Rashes and plaques from eczema are related to an allergy to something which comes into contact with the skin.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a condition which affects roughly 2% of the population. Psoriasis rashes are related to a number of factors including immune system activity, genetic predisposition, and environmental components.
There are several differenttypes of psoriasis, but plaque psoriasis (a.k.a. psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form.
Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis roseais a fairly short-term rash that occurs most often in older children and young adults.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitisis an inflammatory skin disorder affecting skin that has sebaceous glands. It is best known for being the condition that causesdandruff.
Tinea Versicolor
Since the culprit yeast turns off the production of melanin (the pigment that causes skin to tan), the rash is often hypopigmented, meaning it is lighter than surrounding skin.
There are many conditions that increase the risk of this condition, most notably pregnancy.
Ringworm
The fungi live on the dead cells on the surface of the skin and most commonly grow between the fingers and toes, and on the scalp.
The fungus thrives in a moist environment and often occurs in wrestlers due to close contact and sweating. Poor hygiene can also increase one’s risk.
Plaques are just one of the several types of primary lesions that indicate a skin disease. Plaques can be a bit of a challenge to diagnose because there are several skin conditions that can cause them. That said, there are some unique findings that can help tell these rashes apart.
For example, seborrheic dermatitis plaques are scaly, itchy, red and typically found on oily parts of the body, including the face and chest. Pityriasis rosea plaques begin with one herald patch and spread. The plaques also resemble drooping tree branches.
What’s Causing the Itchy Rash On Your Forehead?
Tinea versicolor can be diagnosed using aWood’s lamp. (The rash glows a characteristic yellow under the lamp’s black light.)
AKOH testmay be positive with some of these conditions.
Sometimes, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made visually or with the use of lab tests, and askin biopsywill be needed to diagnose the skin disorder.
Treatment for Plaques on Skin
Skin plaques often respond to treatment with a topical cream or ointment, like acorticosteroidorretinoid.The full treatment plan, however, depends on the underlying skin disease.
Oral medication, like anantihistamine, may be prescribed to help control itching.Plaque psoriasis can be treated usinglight therapy.
Proper hygiene, regular use of a moisturizer, oatmeal baths, and sun exposure (while wearing sunscreen) are all said to ease discomfort and keep skin healthy, although they can’t completely prevent plaques from occurring.
Treating Plaque Psoriasis
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine.Skin plaque.Tonini A, Panduri S, D' erme AM, et al.The management of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2017;152(5):447-457. doi:10.23736/s0392-0488.17.05681-4Luo Y, Ru Y, Sun X, et al.Characteristics of psoriasis vulgaris in China: a prospective cohort study protocol.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(22):694. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.10.46Boehncke WH.Etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am.2015;41(4):665-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.013Agner T, Elsner P.Hand eczema: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34 Suppl 1:4-12. doi:10.1111/jdv.16061Contreras-ruiz J, Peternel S, Jiménez gutiérrez C, Culav-koscak I, Reveiz L, Silbermann-reynoso ML.Interventions for pityriasis rosea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005068.pub3Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE.Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2019;30(2):158-169. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.1473554American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment.Sbidian E, Chaimani A, Afach S, et al.Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2020;1:CD011535. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011535.pub3Additional ReadingErrichetti, E., and G. Stinco.Dermoscopy in General Dermatology: A Practical Overview.Dermatology and Therapy. 2016. 6(4):71-507.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine.Skin plaque.Tonini A, Panduri S, D' erme AM, et al.The management of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2017;152(5):447-457. doi:10.23736/s0392-0488.17.05681-4Luo Y, Ru Y, Sun X, et al.Characteristics of psoriasis vulgaris in China: a prospective cohort study protocol.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(22):694. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.10.46Boehncke WH.Etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am.2015;41(4):665-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.013Agner T, Elsner P.Hand eczema: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34 Suppl 1:4-12. doi:10.1111/jdv.16061Contreras-ruiz J, Peternel S, Jiménez gutiérrez C, Culav-koscak I, Reveiz L, Silbermann-reynoso ML.Interventions for pityriasis rosea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005068.pub3Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE.Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2019;30(2):158-169. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.1473554American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment.Sbidian E, Chaimani A, Afach S, et al.Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2020;1:CD011535. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011535.pub3Additional ReadingErrichetti, E., and G. Stinco.Dermoscopy in General Dermatology: A Practical Overview.Dermatology and Therapy. 2016. 6(4):71-507.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine.Skin plaque.Tonini A, Panduri S, D' erme AM, et al.The management of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2017;152(5):447-457. doi:10.23736/s0392-0488.17.05681-4Luo Y, Ru Y, Sun X, et al.Characteristics of psoriasis vulgaris in China: a prospective cohort study protocol.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(22):694. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.10.46Boehncke WH.Etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am.2015;41(4):665-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.013Agner T, Elsner P.Hand eczema: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34 Suppl 1:4-12. doi:10.1111/jdv.16061Contreras-ruiz J, Peternel S, Jiménez gutiérrez C, Culav-koscak I, Reveiz L, Silbermann-reynoso ML.Interventions for pityriasis rosea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005068.pub3Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE.Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2019;30(2):158-169. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.1473554American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment.Sbidian E, Chaimani A, Afach S, et al.Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2020;1:CD011535. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011535.pub3
National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine.Skin plaque.
Tonini A, Panduri S, D' erme AM, et al.The management of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.G Ital Dermatol Venereol.2017;152(5):447-457. doi:10.23736/s0392-0488.17.05681-4
Luo Y, Ru Y, Sun X, et al.Characteristics of psoriasis vulgaris in China: a prospective cohort study protocol.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(22):694. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.10.46
Boehncke WH.Etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am.2015;41(4):665-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.013
Agner T, Elsner P.Hand eczema: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34 Suppl 1:4-12. doi:10.1111/jdv.16061
Contreras-ruiz J, Peternel S, Jiménez gutiérrez C, Culav-koscak I, Reveiz L, Silbermann-reynoso ML.Interventions for pityriasis rosea.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(10). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005068.pub3
Borda LJ, Perper M, Keri JE.Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2019;30(2):158-169. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.1473554
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment.
Sbidian E, Chaimani A, Afach S, et al.Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2020;1:CD011535. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011535.pub3
Errichetti, E., and G. Stinco.Dermoscopy in General Dermatology: A Practical Overview.Dermatology and Therapy. 2016. 6(4):71-507.
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