[PSO-0343] RC_AbbVie_Psoriasis on the Face, Feet, and More_2025

Face

Psoriasis usually looks red on light skin tones. On darker skin tones, psoriasis symptoms usually look purple or darker than the surrounding skin. After psoriasis plaques heal, people of color are more likely to notice dark or light patches of skin.12 While this skin discoloration can happen anywhere on the body, it is more visible on the face, which can be challenging to manage.13

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(Takieyah Mathis)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

(CC BY-NC 4.0/Ranugha​, Priya Bishnoi)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

Nails

Certain nail symptoms may be harder to see and diagnose in people of color.15 Getting the right diagnosis can take much longer for those with darker skin tones than for those with light skin tones.15

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(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

(CC BY-N C 4.0/Marcel C Pasch)

Scalp

Scalp psoriasis is common in all people with psoriasis, regardless of race or ethnicity, but there is some evidence that it can be more severe in African American women.12 It’s important for your doctor to consider what will work best for your hair texture and hairstyle when prescribing a topical treatment.12

(Adobe Stock)

(Takieyah Mathis)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet))

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

Hands and feet

Psoriasis on the palms and soles may be more common in Black individuals. One study found that Black children and adolescents are six times more likely than white children to have symptoms on their palms and soles.14

(Copyright © 2021, P et al.)

(Sameer Chogale/Alamy)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet))

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet))

Genitals

Genital psoriasis doesn’t have the typical scaly appearance of psoriasis on other areas of the body. The skin may be smooth instead of scaly.7 Many people feel embarrassed to tell their doctor about symptoms on their genitals, so they hesitate to bring it up.9

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)

(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 NZ/DermNet)