What could cause a persistent scaly patch on my elbow and could it be psoriasis?

[Benjamin92]

I’ve had this weird patch of skin on my elbow for months now—it’s rough, kind of scaly, and just won’t go away no matter how much lotion I use. I’m starting to wonder if it could be a mild form of psoriasis, but honestly I’m not sure and it’s making me a little self-conscious when I wear short sleeves. Has anyone else dealt with something like this?

[Alexander91]

That sounds really frustrating. I’ve dealt with a stubborn elbow patch before and it made short sleeves feel awkward. If it could be psoriasis you’re worried about, you’re not alone, but it could also be dry skin or something milder.

[EthanM]

Elbow patches can come from psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, or just thickened dry skin. The pattern matters more than the name—where else is it, how it flares, what you’ve changed in your routine. If it’s psoriasis, treatment varies; if not, there are other routes. Best to get looked at if it sticks around.

[ScarlettM]

Feels like you might be overthinking it. A single elbow patch without other symptoms seems less dramatic than full-blown psoriasis. Could be keratosis pilaris or irritated dry skin from friction. Still, not diagnosing, just questioning the odds.

[LukeST]

Maybe frame this as a skin health puzzle rather than chasing a diagnosis. What routines or products could be making it stubborn, and what would a slower, gentler approach look like?

[Charles.W]

As a reader I notice you want a clear label. If I were writing this scene I’d consider a rhythm: the elbow patch as a stubborn motif, the lotion as a prop that fails to resolve it. The question is less about skin and more about how we narrate our body’s response.

[Violet.G]

Moisturize with a thick ointment after bathing, avoid scented products, watch for color change, spreading, or new flares. If it persists beyond a few weeks, a quick check with a pharmacist or dermatologist could help rule out psoriasis or other conditions.