Treating Psoriasis: Everything You Need To Know
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that affects more than eight million Americans. It causes discomfort, damage to the skin, and can make it difficult to perform daily activities. While the condition is chronic, it is possible to successfully control psoriasis. The Philadelphia-based team at Bryn Mawr Skin & Cancer Institute regularly diagnoses and treats this common, lifelong, immune disorder.
Psoriasis typically presents as thick red plaques of skin with silvery white adherent scales. It can be accompanied by sensations of itching, flaking, scaling, burning, or stinging. These patches build up on the surface, as skin cells are produced and develop at an unusually rapid rate due to overactive immune pathways.
Psoriasis plaques are most often found on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and nails, but can develop anywhere on the skin. There are at least six subtypes of psoriasis, including plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, erythrodermic, and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by flares and remissions over a lifetime. The initial onset of psoriasis may occur early in life or may first appear later in life. While the causes of psoriasis are still not fully understood by the medical community, certain genes are believed to increase the susceptibility to develop psoriasis.
If you are concerned about ongoing symptoms and believe you have psoriasis, a qualified dermatologist can diagnose the condition after a skin exam, which may include a biopsy to examine part of the skin under a microscope. Some of the main triggers include infections, stress, trauma, injuries, smoking, alcohol, and certain medications.
Tips for Managing Psoriasis
Unfortunately, there is not a cure for psoriasis. However, there are steps one can take to improve overall quality of life. Treatment plans vary from person to person, depending on the severity and type of symptoms.
Dermatologists typically recommend a combination of treatments, which may include oral, injectable, and topical medications to help patients better control and prevent psoriasis flare-ups. These treatments include:
· Using a topical medication such as steroids, retinoids, salicylic acid, and coal tar ointments or shampoos (to reduce abnormal skin cell growth and reduce inflammation)
· Taking vitamins A, E, C, and D and dietary supplements such as fish oil, milk thistle, and evening primrose oil (to reduce inflammation)
· Applying over-the-counter ointment-based moisturizer to relieve discomfort caused by dryness and irritation
· Reducing emotional stress with meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga
· Improving sleep quality and aiming for at least seven hours of sleep each night
· Trying phototherapy treatments, like limited exposure to sunlight, narrow band UVB (Ultraviolet B) phototherapy, or laser treatment (XTRAC)
· Avoiding cold, dry weather during the winter and investing in a home humidifier
· Using oral or injectable drugs (biologics) to effectively decrease the inflammatory response of moderate and severe psoriasis
· Eating a balanced, nutritious diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods, and cutting back on red meat, dairy, processed foods, and gluten, which can increase inflammation
· Avoiding scratching, as this can make symptoms worse and lead to wounds and infections
· Taking steps to prevent viral illnesses as they can lead to psoriasis flares
· Losing excess weight
When left untreated for a significant amount of time, psoriasis symptoms can worsen. The condition can also put you at risk of developing more severe complications, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Interested in learning more about psoriasis and other common skin disorders? Get more information about medical dermatology from the Philadelphia-based team at the Bryn Mawr Skin & Cancer Institute. Submit a message via a short contact form or call the practice directly at 610.525.0500.