Oral psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that develops inside your mouth. Symptoms include mouth sores, patches or pustules on the tongue, and gum peeling.
Psoriasis causes skin inflammation and symptoms such as itching, discoloration, and peeling. Oral psoriasis is a rare type of psoriasis that affects your mouth. Most people who develop oral psoriasis, or psoriasis lesions in the mouth, already know they have psoriasis.
Oral psoriasis causes symptoms such as ulcers, tongue issues, discoloration, gum peeling, and raised patches inside the mouth. It normally occurs along with an outbreak of another type of psoriasis.
This article reviews symptoms and pictures of oral psoriasis, as well as treatment options.
When psoriasis affects your mouth, it typically develops on the cheeks and tongue. This is called oral psoriasis.
Oral psoriasis is very rare. Some experts may debate its existence. Oral psoriasis may develop if you have pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis, which are both uncommon types of psoriasis.
The most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, doesn’t cause oral psoriasis. It commonly affects the skin and rarely affects other organs.
Psoriasis inside the mouth typically only develops in people who already have psoriasis. It usually happens in people who have severe pustular psoriasis.
If you have psoriasis with oral involvement, you develop oral lesions and other symptoms inside your mouth. You might develop all or just a few of the possible symptoms.
Symptoms of oral psoriasis
Having lesions on the inside of the mouth is
However, oral lesions were more common in people with psoriasis than those without psoriasis.
Symptoms of oral psoriasis can vary but may include:
- grooves or furrows on the top of the tongue, known as fissures
- periodontitis, a gum infection that damages the tissue around the teeth
- geographic tongue, or smooth, discolored patches on the top of the tongue
- white-coated tongue
- linea alba, a raised ridge on the inside of the cheek
Pictures of oral psoriasis
The following slideshow includes images of oral psoriasis.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which the body targets healthy skin cells and produces new ones too rapidly. Researchers don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, but genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Psoriasis usually begins in young adulthood, with symptoms often starting between ages 15 and 25. People of all ages and skin colors can get psoriasis.
Although exact causes are not fully understood, psoriasis is linked to the following risk factors:
- a family history of psoriasis
- smoking
- heavy alcohol consumption
- exposure to pollution
- certain medications
- prolonged infections
- damage to the oral cavity
Psoriasis symptoms occur in patterns called flare-ups and remissions. During a flare-up, you have symptoms and may need treatment. During remission, there are no symptoms.
Treatment can help keep someone with psoriasis in remission longer. Flare-ups are often caused by psoriasis triggers. These can include environmental factors such as:
- smoking
- stress
- illness
- medication changes
Oral psoriasis flare-ups seem to be the same as skin psoriasis flare-ups.
Doctors can usually diagnose oral psoriasis through a visual exam. Since most people who develop oral psoriasis already know they have psoriasis, a doctor can often examine the lesions in their mouth and make a diagnosis.
A doctor may recommend a biopsy to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms.
A biopsy involves removing a small tissue sample from one of the lesions. The sample is then sent to a lab so experts can rule out other conditions.
Oral psoriasis often heals on its own without treatments. The skin inside the mouth regenerates very quickly, with oral epithelial cells being replaced every
When treatment is needed, options include:
- antiseptic mouth rinses
- topical corticosteroids
- immunosuppressant medications
- prescription-strength vitamin A (acitretin) medication
Biologic therapies are another possible treatment option, but these are usually used for skin or joint involvement.
You might use just one of these treatments or a combination as part of an overall treatment plan.
You can learn more about oral psoriasis by reading answers to some common questions.
Oral psoriasis typically heals very quickly and does not cause permanent damage. However, psoriasis is a chronic condition that can come and go unpredictably.
You can work with a healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan that can manage your symptoms and flare-ups.
Oral psoriasis refers to psoriasis inside the mouth. This includes the tongue as well as the inside of the cheeks and lips. Sores on the inside of the lips might be visible in a mirror, but they will be inside your mouth, not surrounding it.
Oral psoriasis usually occurs at the same time as external psoriasis outbreaks.
Yes. Outbreaks of oral psoriasis nearly always occur at the same time as outbreaks of skin psoriasis.
No, oral psoriasis is not contagious. It is an inflammatory condition that cannot be passed to others.
It might take time to find your exact psoriasis triggers, as triggers are individual and vary from person to person.
Oral psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis. It most often occurs in people who also have pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis.
Oral psoriasis causes symptoms such as mouth sores, gum peeling, patches and pustules on the tongue, and oral sensitivity.
Symptoms of oral psoriasis can resolve quickly on their own. When they don’t, treatments such as mouth rinses, topical creams, and oral medications can help resolve the symptoms sooner.