Definition
The plaques appear as flat or rounded skin lesions (> 10 mm in diameter), elevated or depressed with respect to the skin surface.
The presence of thickened, reddish, raised patches covered with silver scales may indicate the presence of psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques are usually scattered on the elbows, knees, scalp, back and buttocks.
The presence of a single dark-reddish-pink patch with a rough or scaly appearance, on the other hand, may indicate the presence of actinic keratosis (precancerous lesion of the skin).
Possible Causes * of Plaques
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Basal-cell carcinoma (or basalioma)
- Squamo-cell carcinoma
- Actinic keratosis
- Diaper dermatitis
- Dermatophytosis
- Verruciform Epidermodysplasia
- erythrasma
- Intertrigo
- Lichen planus
- Lichen Simplex
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Melanoma
- Bullous pemphigoid
- Gestational pemphigoid
- Athlete's foot
- Pityriasis rosea
- Psoriasis
- Kaposi's sarcoma
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Tinea capitis
- Penile cancer
