Psoriasis Specialist

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that causes inflamed, red, and scaly patches to form on your skin. The underlying cause of the condition isn’t well understood, but immune system dysfunction may play a role.

This dysfunction may cause skin cells to multiply at a faster rate than normal, resulting in the growth of scaly skin patches.

You may be at increased risk for psoriasis if you have a family history of the disease or because of certain environmental factors. Known triggers of psoriasis flare-ups include:

• Stress
• Smoking
• Infections
• Cuts or scrapes
• Dry weather conditions

The use of certain medications can also trigger psoriasis outbreaks.

When should I seek treatment for psoriasis?

There are several types of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is a common form that causes the raised, red patches of skin to develop. You can also have nail psoriasis, which affects the nails on your fingers and toes; guttate psoriasis, which affects your trunk, arms, and legs; and psoriatic arthritis, which causes inflammation and pain in the joints.

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation with the providers at The Center for Dermatology Cosmetic & Laser Surgery if you have symptoms of psoriasis that continue to worsen or become widespread.

The dermatologists can confirm your diagnosis during a skin evaluation. They customize a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and protect the long-term health of your skin.

How is psoriasis treated?

Your treatment plan for psoriasis focuses on preventing skin cells from growing out of control.

The providers at The Center for Dermatology Cosmetic & Laser Surgery may prescribe topical creams or ointments that contain medications like corticosteroids to relieve itching and reduce inflammation. If you have psoriasis scales on your scalp, you may also need to use a medicated shampoo to remove them.

Another option for treating moderate to severe psoriasis is light therapy. This treatment involves exposing the affected areas of your skin with controlled amounts of natural or artificial light; also systemic medications can help more severe resistant psoriasis.

You may also need to make lifestyle changes that reduce your exposure to known psoriasis triggers, such as learning stress-reduction techniques and quitting smoking.

If you need help managing psoriasis flare-ups, schedule a diagnostic evaluation by calling The Center for Dermatology Cosmetic & Laser Surgery.