Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitonCauseTriggersComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentsHome Remedies and Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definiton
Cause
Triggers
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatments
Home Remedies and Tips
Psoriasisis more likely to occur on the knees and elbows than on other areas of the body.About 90% of diagnosed cases of the condition areplaque psoriasis. It causes raised, dry, itchy skin patches (called plaques).
Knee psoriasis treatment options include topical therapies, as well as oral medications. Lifestyle changes may also help manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
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What Does It Look Like?
Plaques—patches of skin that are dry, inflamed, scaly, and red—are the most common symptom of psoriasis.If a person has darker skin, the areas might look hyper-pigmented (darker) or purple-tinged instead.On kneecaps, there may be a white or silver coating around the plaques.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition in which theimmune system, which normally protects the body from harm, reacts abnormally and causes skin cells to divide more rapidly. This leads to the formation of plaques.
In addition to the knees and elbows, psoriasis is common on the scalp and lower back.It can also appear on the:
Inverse PsoriasisPsoriasis behind the knees is sometimes inverse psoriasis, which occurs in folds of skin. It is diagnosed and treated like other types of plaque psoriasis and produces similar patches of dry, inflamed skin.
Inverse Psoriasis
Psoriasis behind the knees is sometimes inverse psoriasis, which occurs in folds of skin. It is diagnosed and treated like other types of plaque psoriasis and produces similar patches of dry, inflamed skin.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it’s likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors.One thing is certain: Psoriasis is not contagious.
Keeping a symptom journal is the best way to identify the cause of your knee psoriasis flares. Taking notes can help you identify what contributes to your symptoms, so you can limit future exposure to your triggers.
Healthcare providers aren’t sure why the kneecaps are more prone to psoriasis than some other body parts. One theory is that the skin is under a lot of strain from bending and moving, rubbing against clothing, and being scraped. This may make kneecaps prone to psoriasis symptoms.
In addition to plaques, knee psoriasis sometimes leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. These may be symptoms ofpsoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune form of arthritis that affects up to 40% of people with psoriasis.
The condition can make it painful to perform daily movements like walking or climbing stairs. If you have knee psoriasis and experience swelling, pain, and stiffness in your knees, see arheumatologist. This type of doctor specializes in treating inflammatory andautoimmune diseases.
A healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist or rheumatologist, candiagnose psoriasis. They’ll examine your skin and nails, and ask questions about your medical history, which may include:
Psoriasis can sometimes be mistaken forother skin conditions, likeeczema, so it’s important to get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
There’s no cure for psoriasis, but there aremany treatment optionsthat can help manage the symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your knee psoriasis and other medications you take. It may include the following:
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Tips
Skin care, diet, and lifestyle can all play a role in the management of knee psoriasis. Some things to consider:
Summary
Psoriasis on the knees is very common. Although the condition can show up anywhere on the body, it most frequently appears on the knees and elbows.
People with knee psoriasis can also develop psoriatic arthritis, which leads to joint stiffness and pain. If you have knee psoriasis, a healthcare provider can help you develop a multifaceted treatment plan to prevent and manage flare-ups.
13 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 Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.Abrouk M, Lee K, Brodsky M, et al.Ethnicity affects the presenting severity of psoriasis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(1):180-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.042Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: causes.National Psoriasis Foundation.Causes and Triggers.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Work Group, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: case-based presentations and evidence-based conclusions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(1):137-74. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.055The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Janeczek M, Moy L, Lake EP, Swan J.Review of the Efficacy and Safety of TopicalMahonia aquifoliumfor the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional Therapy in Persons Suffering from Psoriasis. Nutrients. 2021
13 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 Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.Abrouk M, Lee K, Brodsky M, et al.Ethnicity affects the presenting severity of psoriasis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(1):180-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.042Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: causes.National Psoriasis Foundation.Causes and Triggers.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Work Group, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: case-based presentations and evidence-based conclusions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(1):137-74. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.055The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Janeczek M, Moy L, Lake EP, Swan J.Review of the Efficacy and Safety of TopicalMahonia aquifoliumfor the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional Therapy in Persons Suffering from Psoriasis. Nutrients. 2021
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 Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.Abrouk M, Lee K, Brodsky M, et al.Ethnicity affects the presenting severity of psoriasis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(1):180-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.042Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: causes.National Psoriasis Foundation.Causes and Triggers.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Work Group, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: case-based presentations and evidence-based conclusions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(1):137-74. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.055The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Janeczek M, Moy L, Lake EP, Swan J.Review of the Efficacy and Safety of TopicalMahonia aquifoliumfor the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018.National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional Therapy in Persons Suffering from Psoriasis. Nutrients. 2021
National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.
Abrouk M, Lee K, Brodsky M, et al.Ethnicity affects the presenting severity of psoriasis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(1):180-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.042
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: causes.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Causes and Triggers.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Work Group, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 6. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: case-based presentations and evidence-based conclusions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(1):137-74. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.055
The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative Approaches to Care.
Janeczek M, Moy L, Lake EP, Swan J.Review of the Efficacy and Safety of TopicalMahonia aquifoliumfor the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018.
Garbicz J, Całyniuk B, Górski M, Buczkowska M, Piecuch M, Kulik A, Rozentryt P.Nutritional Therapy in Persons Suffering from Psoriasis. Nutrients. 2021
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