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An album of vintage photographs depicting psoriasis.

Psoriasis Images From The 19th Century

Brittany Ineson's avatar image

By Brittany Ineson

1 min read

Kept under wraps for thousands of years, psoriasis showed up when Egyptian mummies were unearthed. The Greeks had a word for it—psora, "to itch"—which could qualify as the understatement of the centuries!

The modern-day medical enlightenment began in the 19th century and gained momentum in the 20th and 21st centuries. Here are some photos that contributed to progress in understanding psoriasis and treating it.

Scales and patches and sketches, oh my!

This illustration is from Delineations of Cutaneous Diseases by Thomas Bateman, M.D. are from the 19th century.

The top depiction is entitled “psoriasis diffusa”. Described as “scales and patches, both more numerous and more minute on the trunk than on the extremities.”

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The bottom depiction, entitled “psoriasis inveterata”. Described as being “the most extensive and severe form of the disease,” and “is characterized by an almost universal scaliness, and a harsh, dry, thickened state of the skin.” What would we call these today?

Two different arms displaying two different severities of psoriasis

The baker's itch

This image from 1849 depicts “psoriasis diffusa” on the back of a hand. A variety of the disease that Bateman believed to often affect the back of the hands of bakers, thus giving it the name, “the Bakers itch”.

Today, we know this to be untrue but how interesting it would be to cure your psoriasis by simply changing professions!
Severe psoriasis plaque displayed on back of a man's left hand

Is this chromolithograph itchy? Or is it me?

I’m not sure what this gentleman is thinking of in this chromolithograph of psoriasis diffusa on the face from University Hospitals Bristol, NHS Foundation Trust but it sure looks deep.

I think a little less time sitting for paintings and a little more time for the sun is in order!

Man with beard looking sad with severe scalp and facial psoriasis

Psoriasis in photographs

As we enter the age of color photography, in 1886, we see our first glimpses of what is described as “psoriasis diffusa” through film throughout this individual's body.

Older shirtless man displaying severe psoriasis on scalp, elbow, armpit, chest and stomach

Appearing in Photographic Illustrations of Skin Diseases by George Henry Fox, with his one arm raised, I’m just glad that we can see and not smell!

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