Skin disorder info please.?

I have noticed that I have white, crusty "scab-like" patches of skin on my elbows. This condition began to develop almost two years ago. There is no itch and know pain involved, also because it is on the posterior side of my body usually out of my view I have not seen a physician, you know "out of site, out of mind". Yesterday while wearing a short sleeve shirt a co-worker made a comment asking what was wrong with my elbows, leaving me without an answer.

I have noticed that if this thin, crusty, white layer gets knocked off by bumping or scrubbing to hard in the shower it will bleed but after healing the patches will still be there.

There are no other like places on my body. The condition is strictly isolated to my elbows.

Does anyone have a clue as to what this might be and in additions, any suggestions for the treatment of the same? My funds are limited and dermotologists are very expensive, too expensive to treat something that seems only to be cosmetic. Thanks!

Just like Stacey said, I have no doubt you have psoriasis.

It often starts on elbows and knees, white scaley patches. That is because your skin is now growing faster than normal so the sloughed off skin isn't just falling off like normal. It is piling up. You can try over-the-counter cortisones, but cortisone thins the skin, so then you are even more susceptible to the bleeding. You also want to avoid injury (like you plan to be injured), as psoriasis tends to form where there has been a cut. Also, if you think you have an infection, especially strep or bronchitis, get to a doctor quickly and get it treated. Those often result in your psoriasis worsening, even with treatment. If you know someone has strep, stay away until they have had antibiotics for 24 hours.

There are a lot of treatments available now, so it would be good to go to a dermatologist, but if you don't have insurance coverage, that is probably too cost prohibitive.

One other wonderful suggestion: go to www.psoriasis.org and read all that you can. If you join, they don't expect much, like $10 a year, then you can read even more.

I am sorry but you can live with this OK. It is not the greatest thing, but it is by far not the worst that can happen to you. I was covered with patches over 85% of my body for many years, until the new injectible biologic drugs were developed. Now, I have 5-8% coverage, with two small shots I give myself weekly. You are not at the point for that medication.

I hope the best for you.

From your description it sound like psoriasis, to confirm you have to see a dermatologist... i developed the same thing and time went on it spread to my legs etc....i am in a remission right now but like all cases it will return .... here is a trick i learned for my elbows ...after a warm bath get out and rub elbows immediately with a bath oil , baby oil whatever you have massaging it in ...wait a couple of minutes then with a towel begin slowly rub your elbows you will see the scales come off. do this daily... its NOT a cure but it does make your elbows a little better...good luck