Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease that afflicts 2-3% of the world’s population. It is rarely life threatening and is not contagious despite its appearances. For 10 to 30% of people, psoriasis can often be accompanied by a form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis”. There are five types of psoriasis; each form has its own unique signs and symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms of Psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of this disorder, affecting nearly 80% of those with the condition. With this condition, patches of raised, reddened skin covered in silvery white scales form in the areas of the body affected. Common areas of the body affected include the elbows, knees, lower back, and the scalp.

Plaque Psoriasis

There are four other types of psoriasis including erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain), guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin), pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds.

Guttate Psoriasis

All forms of psoriasis cause discomfort and in some cases, severe pain. Advanced forms of psoriasis will lead to psoriatic arthritis.

What Are The Causes of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis has been tormenting the human race for eons. There is evidence of people living with psoriasis as early as 35 A.D. Recently, psoriasis has been labeled as an autoimmune disorder where the body cannot regulate skin production properly.

There are certain triggers which can cause the onset of a flare or outbreak of psoriasis. These triggers include stress, injury to the skin, certain medications (lithium used to treat manic depression, antimalarials, Inderal (a beta-blocker used for people with high blood pressure), quinidine (a heart medication), and indomethacin, which is used to treat arthritis). Other triggers include diet, weather conditions, allergies, and strep infection which can cause guttate psoriasis.

Who is most likely To Get Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a condition in which about one out of three cases are passed on genetically, although there are cases of people with psoriasis without a family history of the condition. An individual may show symptoms as a child or symptoms may not present themselves until adulthood. Generally symptoms begin to show between the ages of 15 and 25 whereas psoriatic arthritis usually develops in people 30 to 50 years of age.

What Treatments Are Available For Those Who Suffer From Psoriasis?

Treatments for psoriasis vary from topical treatments, phototherapy, systemic medications and alternative approaches including a change of climate, increased exposure to the sun, and diet change.

There is a broad range of topical treatments for psoriasis. Salicylic acid helps to remove the scales which form due to psoriasis and is often combined with coal tar which slows the rapid growth of skin cells and also reduces inflammation, scaling and itching. Regular use of lotions and moisturizers will keep the skin lubricated and also help to reduce inflammations. This is an important part of daily living with psoriasis.

Apply topical treatments directly to the psoriatic lesions, add to your bath water, or if treating psoriasis of the scalp, follow the direction stated on the shampoo label.

Prescription topical treatments include Anthralin (used in plaque psoriasis), Dovonex (used in scalp and nail psoriasis), Taclonex (used to flatten the scales caused by psoriasis and reduce the affected areas itchiness), Tazorac cream (used on the face, scalp and nails, or corticosteroids (fast and very effective topical treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis lesions).

PUVA is a type of phototherapy treatment which involves treating the patient with an oral photosensitizing agent, usually 8-methoxypsoralen (sometimes called methoxsalen), then exposing the diseased areas of the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a prescribed length of time on a regular schedule. The interaction of the UV light with the photosensitizing drug is the basis of PUVA treatment. This kind of therapy should be done under a doctor's direction in a medical setting or with a home unit purchased with a doctor's prescription. This therapy slows down the excessive cell production and can clear the symptoms of psoriasis for a period of time.

Methotrexate can also be helpful, as it is an immunosuppressant (the drug is also used in cancer chemotherapy).

Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade are known as biologic agents or DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) that have been effective for many psoriasis patients.

Targeted UVB and Pulsed dye lasers are used much in the same way.

What Are The Advantages Of Treatment?

Treatment can reduce the severity of a psoriasis outbreak, and sometimes prevent a flare-up from occurring.

How Long Do Treatments Take?

Many treatments for psoriasis are ongoing.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Multiple treatments are required.

Will I Have Pain?

Treatment should relieve the pain.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

You can return to work or school immediately.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

All treatments are performed by our expert dermatologists.

What Are My Alternatives in Psoriasis Treatment?

• Gold
• Imuran (azathioprine)
• Cyclosporine
• Retinoids (Soriatane)
• Sulfasalazine

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

The cost may vary from patient to patient depending on various factors; however, we guarantee that our pricing will always be competitive with that of other local providers furnishing equivalent services.

We provide excellent financing options, and discounts for multiple procedures are available.

For Further Information

Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084.