Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs when skin cells grow faster than normal. As a result, they build up on your skin and cause patches of scaly plaques. You can develop psoriasis at any age, but it often first appears in 15-20-year-olds and adults aged 55-60 years.

What symptoms appear if I have psoriasis?

Your symptoms depend on the type of psoriasis:  

Plaque psoriasis

The most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, causes red, itchy patches of skin covered in a scaly build-up of skin cells. The plaques are usually painful, and they often crack and bleed.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis, the second most common type, affects children and young adults. It appears as small, scaly, drop-shaped lesions on the arms, legs, or trunk.

Inverse psoriasis

This type of psoriasis causes red, inflamed lesions in the folds of the buttocks, breasts, and groin.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters in large patches or in small areas on the hands and feet.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare form that covers most of the body in a red, itchy rash.

What triggers psoriasis?

Psoriasis often flares in response to triggers. A few of the most common include:

• Bacterial infections
• Emotional stress
• Sunburn
• Scratches and skin injuries
• Dry, cold weather
• Medications (e.g., beta-blockers, antimalarial drugs, and lithium)

Excessive drinking and smoking can also trigger an outbreak.

How is psoriasis treated?

When developing a psoriasis treatment plan, your provider at Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah aims to relieve your symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and slow down skin cell growth.

They take a holistic approach that includes:

Identifying triggers

Identifying and avoiding your triggers can go a long way toward preventing psoriasis flare-ups.

Topical therapy

Topical therapy includes moisturizers and topical medications that relieve itching and reduce plaque accumulation.

Phototherapy (light therapy)

Your psoriasis may improve with one of the following types of light therapy:

• UVB broadband or narrowband (from an artificial source)
• Psoralen plus ultraviolet light (PUVA)
• Excimer laser

Exposure to light slows down the growth of abnormal psoriatic skin cells, drives inflammation from the skin, and reduces psoriasis plaque formation.

Medications

Your provider may prescribe medications that diminish inflammation, reduce cell production, or target the immune system.

If you need exceptional treatment for psoriasis, call Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah, or request an appointment online today.