What could cause elbow and knee patches that don't look like psoriasis?

[MatthewZM]

I’ve been dealing with these persistent, slightly raised patches on my elbows and knees for months now. My doctor mentioned it could be a form of psoriasis, but the scaling isn’t as thick or silvery as the pictures I’ve seen online.

[IsabellaEB]

That sounds frustrating. The patches have hung around for months and they are raised but not the thick silvery scaling you see in pictures. My doctor mentioned psoriasis and we were told to watch for changes and try hydration first. I cleaned up fragrance free creams, stopped harsh soaps, and kept a daily routine going. Some days it felt a little softer after a heavy rain or when the air was humid, but it never fully went away.

[Chloe5]

I tried an OTC cream for a while and it helped a tiny bit then it seemed to stall. The patches still looked rough and patchy and I started to wonder if it was eczema or a reaction. The doctor suggested it could be something like that and I am not sure the timing matches how I feel day to day. I did not want to keep chasing the wrong thing and I figured I should ask more here before going back for a follow up.

[Madison22]

Do you notice more itching at night and would a simple photo log help the doctor decide what to do?

[JosephNJ]

I once had a patch that stayed stubborn after I changed laundry detergent and then a better moisturizer helped a little but not completely. I got tired of thinking about it every day and stepped back from overanalyzing it while I waited for the next check up.