Do you have dry, scaly or patchy skin? Are there red spots on your skin? Are your nails too thick? Do you have joint pain?
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you may have psoriasis – and you’re not alone. This skin disease affects more than eight million people in the United States. You don’t have to become one of them.
At Florida’s Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, we can treat your psoriasis and restore you and your skin to health. To learn more about our treatments, or to schedule an appointment, contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that often leaves sufferers with rough and scaly skin patches. While it can strike anyone, certain factors can increase your chances of contracting it.
Some psoriasis risk factors are:
- It Runs In The Family: If your mother or father have psoriasis, your risk of getting it is higher.
- Infection: A number of bacterial and viral infections can boost your risk of getting psoriasis. Those with autoimmune diseases, such as HIV, also can be more likely to have psoriasis.
- Stress: High levels of stress can harm your immune system. This can increase your risk of getting psoriasis.
- Weight: People who are very overweight have a greater risk of getting psoriasis as plaque can often form in skin folds found in obese people.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking increases your psoriasis risk. If you have psoriasis, smoking can make it worse.
The good news for sufferers is help is available. Psoriasis is easy to diagnose and a number of treatments are available to help you look and feel better.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, our medical team led by Dr. Jeannette Hudgens will examine you, review your medical history and create a safe and effective treatment plan customized for you.
In some cases, patients may require a biopsy to help us determine if you have psoriasis or eczema, a condition that has symptoms which can mirror psoriasis.
Psoriatic Arthritis
About one in three people with psoriasis have joint pain. This is known medically as psoriatic arthritis. Some symptoms are:
- Stiffness or swelling in your joints.
- Overall fatigue.
- Problems with fingernails and toenails.
We may use x-rays to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. This technology helps us rule out other forms of arthritis and joint diseases.
Treatment
While psoriasis has no cure, treatments to ease symptoms are available and help countless patients. Typically, psoriasis is treated two medications: Systemics and biologics.
- Biologics treat patients through injections or use of an IV.
- Patients can take systemics by mouth.
Each is an effective treatment. Our medical team at Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center will determine which treatment will provide you with the best results. We also can use topical medications as a treatment option.
Another treatment is called phototherapy, also known as light therapy. With these treatments, the patient’s skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, which can help reduce symptoms.
Don’t let psoriasis prevent you living your life to the fullest. Contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to learn how we can help you get your psoriasis under control.