WHAT IS ORAL PSORIASIS? Most folks think of psoriasis as a skin problem that shows up on spots that everyone can see, like your elbows, knees, and scalp. But symptoms of this disease may happen in places you don't expect, like inside your mouth. When that occurs, it's called oral psoriasis. It's not a serious medical problem, but it may be uncomfortable. And it can be a struggle to get the right diagnosis. Why? It's so rare that most doctors have never seen it before, and some aren't sure it even exists. What Are the Symptoms? It can be hard to tell if you have oral psoriasis. The symptoms are often mild and come and go quickly. And doctors don't even agree on what all the symptoms are. But in general, experts think that while signs can appear in different spots in your mouth, they're most common on the inside of your cheeks. You might notice patches of red skin with yellow or white edges; sores; peeling skin on the gums; blisters with pus (pustules); pain or burning, especially when eating spicy foods; changes in how things taste. Oral psoriasis may be linked with other conditions, like fissured tongue-grooves or trenches on your tongue; geographic tongue-red patches on your tongue that look like islands on a map; or swollen or infected gums. People who have oral psoriasis tend to have symptoms on their skin too, such as thick, scaly patches. The symptoms in your mouth will probably get better or worse along with the symptoms on your skin. So if psoriasis symptoms show up in your mouth, you're likely to have skin flare-ups, too. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1985279 WHAT IS ORAL PSORIASIS ? Most folks think of psoriasis as a skin problem that shows up on spots that everyone can see , like your elbows , knees , and scalp . But symptoms of this disease may happen in places you don't expect , like inside your mouth . When that occurs , it's called oral psoriasis . It's not a serious medical problem , but it may be uncomfortable . And it can be a struggle to get the right diagnosis . Why ? It's so rare that most doctors have never seen it before , and some aren't sure it even exists . What Are the Symptoms ? It can be hard to tell if you have oral psoriasis . The symptoms are often mild and come and go quickly . And doctors don't even agree on what all the symptoms are . But in general , experts think that while signs can appear in different spots in your mouth , they're most common on the inside of your cheeks . You might notice patches of red skin with yellow or white edges ; sores ; peeling skin on the gums ; blisters with pus ( pustules ) ; pain or burning , especially when eating spicy foods ; changes in how things taste . Oral psoriasis may be linked with other conditions , like fissured tongue - grooves or trenches on your tongue ; geographic tongue - red patches on your tongue that look like islands on a map ; or swollen or infected gums . People who have oral psoriasis tend to have symptoms on their skin too , such as thick , scaly patches . The symptoms in your mouth will probably get better or worse along with the symptoms on your skin . So if psoriasis symptoms show up in your mouth , you're likely to have skin flare - ups , too . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL1985279