Severity

What are the different levels of severity?

Assessment is usually discussed in terms of mild, moderate, and severe based on the amount of the body that is involved. Consider that your palm covers about 1% of the skin’s surface. You can roughly measure how many times your palms cover all your psoriasis and this will indicate the percentage of your body coverage. 

  

Severity

    

Details
 

Mild

  
  • Covers less than 3% of body surface area (three palms)
  • Generally isolated plaques on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands and feet
  • Minimal effect on quality of life
  • Symptoms can be controlled by topical therapy and routine skin measures
  • 65% of people with psoriasis have mild psoriasis
 

Moderate

  
  • Covers between 3% and 10% of body surface area (three to 10 palms)
  • Cannot be controlled by topical therapy and routine skincare
  • Often results in concern about others’ reaction to visible lesions
  • Significantly affects quality of life
  • 25% of people with psoriasis have moderate psoriasis
 

Severe

  
  • Covers more than 10% of body surface area (10 palms)
  • Cannot be controlled by topical therapy and routine skincare
  • Severe impact on quality of life
  • 10% of people with psoriasis have severe psoriasis

Information from Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Plaque Psoriasis and Diagnosis and Management of Psoriasis1,2

References

  1. Kim WB, Jerome D, Yeung J. Diagnosis and management of psoriasis. Can Fam Physician. 2017;63(4):278. /pmc/articles/PMC5389757/. Accessed March 25, 2021.
  2. Papp K, Gulliver W, Lynde C, Poulin Y, Ashkenas J. Canadian guidelines for the management of plaque psoriasis: Overview. J Cutan Med Surg. 2011;15(4):210-219. doi:10.2310/7750.2011.10066