Inverted psoriasis, also known as reverse psoriasis, is a type of psoriasis that causes the appearance of red patches on the skin, especially in the fold area, but which, unlike classical psoriasis, do not peel off and may be more irritated by sweating or when rubbing the area.
The sites that are most frequently affected include the armpits, groin and under the breasts in women, being more common in overweight people.
Although there is no treatment capable of curing inverted psoriasis, it is possible to relieve discomfort and even prevent the frequent appearance of blemishes through techniques that include the use of ointments, medicines or herbal medicine sessions, for example.
Main symptoms
The main symptom of inverted psoriasis is the appearance of smooth red spots and red spots in skin folds, such as the groin, armpits or under the breasts, for example. Unlike normal psoriasis, these spots do not show flaking, but they can develop cracks that bleed and cause pain, especially after sweating a lot or rubbing the area. In addition, if the person is overweight, the red spots are larger and there is a greater sign of inflammation, since the friction is also greater.
Sometimes, the spots can be confused with another skin problem known as candidiasic intertrigo and, therefore, it is very important to consult a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment. See what candidiasic intertrigo is and how it is treated.
Possible causes
The causes of inverted psoriasis are not yet fully understood, however, it is possible that it is caused by an imbalance in the immune system that ends up attacking the skin cells themselves, just as in classic psoriasis.
In addition, the presence of moisture on the skin, caused by sweat, or repeated rubbing can aggravate skin inflammation. It is for this reason that this type of psoriasis is more frequent in obese people, due to the constant presence of moisture and friction in the folds of the skin.
How the treatment is done
Like plaque psoriasis, treatment does not cure the disease but helps relieve symptoms, and can be recommended by a dermatologist:
- Corticosteroid creams with Hydrocortisone or Betamethasone, which quickly relieve skin inflammation, reducing redness and pain at the site. These creams should not be used more than indicated as they are easily absorbed and can cause several side effects; Antifungal creams with Clotrimazole or Fluconazole, which are used to eliminate fungal infections that are very common in the affected places; Calcipotriol, which is a specific cream for psoriasis that contains a form of vitamin D that slows the growth of skin cells, preventing irritation of the site; Phototherapy sessions, which consist of applying ultraviolet radiation to the skin 2 to 3 times a week to reduce irritation and relieve symptoms.
These treatments can be used separately or in combination, depending on how the skin reacts to each treatment. This way, the dermatologist can test each treatment over time and adapt it according to the intensity of the symptoms. Know some homemade options to complement the treatment for psoriasis.
In addition to following the treatment indicated by the doctor, it may be interesting for the person to follow the tips in the following video to prevent and relieve the appearance of symptoms:
