Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology
Dermatologist Pennsylvania - About Psoriasis
If you suffer from psoriasis and need a dermatologist Pennsylvania can rely on to handle the problem, Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology can help you. No need to be embarrassed by flaky skin anymore – we can not only educate you on what is happening to your skin, but also how to treat it yourself and make the problem much better. Don't just live with the problem. Contact a dermatologist Pennsylvania trusts at Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology and make the clear skin you wish for a reality.
- Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin.
- It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.
- The dry flakes and scales are thought to result from the rapid buildup of skin cells.
- Psoriasis is not contagious.
- It commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.
- Psoriasis is considered a non-curable, long-term (chronic) skin condition. It has a variable course, periodically improving and worsening.
- Psoriasis is seen worldwide, in all races, and both sexes. Although psoriasis can be seen in people of any age, from babies to seniors, most commonly patients are first diagnosed in their early adult years.
- Psoriasis is a fairly common skin condition and is estimated to affect approximately 1%-3% of the U.S. population.
- It currently affects roughly 7.5 million to 8.5 million people in the U.S. and is seen worldwide in about 125 million people.
- The exact cause remains unknown. There may be a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
- It is common for psoriasis to be found in members of the same family.
- The immune system is thought to play a major role.
- Plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent form of the disease. About 80 percent of those who have psoriasis have this type. It is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery white scale. It is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
- Guttate psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. The word guttate is from the Latin word meaning "drop." This form of psoriasis appears as small, red, individual spots on the skin.
- Inverse psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds around the genitals and the buttocks. This type of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny.
- Pustular psoriasis, primarily seen in adults, is characterized by white blisters of noninfectious pus surrounded by red skin.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body surface. It is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin and the shedding of scales in sheets, rather than smaller flakes.
- Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and swelling and can affect any part of your body.
There are many effective treatment choices for psoriasis. The best treatment is individually determined by your dermatology practitioner and depends, in part, on the type of disease, the severity, and the total body area involved.
- For mild disease that involves only small areas of the body topical creams, lotions, and sprays may be very effective and safe to use. Occasionally, a small local injection of steroids directly into a tough or resistant isolated psoriasis plaque may be helpful.
- For moderate to severe disease that involves much larger areas of the body topical products may not be effective or practical to apply. These cases may require systemic or total body treatments such as pills, light treatments, or injections.
- Stronger medications usually have greater associated possible risks.
- For psoriatic arthritis, systemic medications that can stop the progression of the disease may be required. Topical therapies are not effective
- For images of psoriasis, click here
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