The Benefits of Dermatological Treatments for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition that ranges from very mild to extremely severe. While over-the-counter treatments are often sufficient for those who only experience light symptoms, those who suffer from the more unwanted signs will want to take more direct action.

Dermatological treatments can, in many cases, provide a dramatic improvement in psoriasis symptoms. The following discusses what’s available and why it might be advisable to seek professional help.

A Quick Overview of Psoriasis

• What is psoriasis?
• Who does it affect?

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune, lifelong condition that forms patches of raised scaly patches on the skin. It’s caused by an abnormality in skin cell production, whereby they divide more quickly than normal. These build up into the patches that are synonymous with the disease.

There are different classifications of psoriasis, each determined by where on the body they form:

• Chronic Plaque: Normally found on the elbows, knees, and/or scalp. It’s the most common form.
• Sebopsoriasis: Similar to the above but occurs on the face, chest, armpits, or groin.
• Flexural: Rather than being flaky and itchy, this causes red raw areas of skin—often beneath the breasts, in the groin, or armpits.
• Guttate: Occurs after an illness and forms multiple tiny spots on the torso.
• Erythrodermic: Extensive coverage and can occur over most of the body.
• Palmoplantar pustular: Forms as pus-filled spots on the palms and soles.
• Pustular: As above but occurs anywhere on the body.

Who does it affect?

Anyone can suffer from psoriasis. It’s estimated that around 2% of people suffer.

Psoriasis Treatments

• What are the main psoriasis treatments?
• Topical, phototherapy, and systemic psoriasis treatments

What are the main psoriasis treatments?

While there is no definitive cure for psoriasis, there are many treatments that dermatologists use to reduce the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the problem, this may involve using a single treatment or a combination method. Your doctor may need to try different types or combinations over a period to determine which works best for you.

The three types are:

• Topical treatments
• Phototherapy treatments
• Systemic medication.

Topical, phototherapy, and systemic psoriasis treatments

• Topical treatments These are creams, emollients, and ointments that are applied to the affected area/s. They target both the look of the patches and the itchiness. Some types include corticosteroids or vitamin D. While this is considered the mildest treatment, it can be very effective. It’s usually the first course of action after a psoriasis diagnosis. While they can take up to 6 weeks to take effect, many people find this is all they need to keep the condition under control.
• Phototherapy treatments: These use natural and artificial light therapy to target the patches with ultraviolet (UV) light. It’s not an instant treatment—it works over time by killing the immune cells within the area. This causes the patches to gradually fade. Depending on the type of phototherapy used, you might be given medication before treatment to make the skin more sensitive to light. 
• Systemic medication: There are injections and oral medications that can be very effective to treat severe psoriasis. However, each comes with side effects so requires an experienced dermatologist to determine whether the risks outweigh the benefits. There are both non-biological medications and biological ones. The latter types are only used in the worst cases that haven’t responded to any other treatments.

Looking for Psoriasis Treatments? Call Bayou City Dermatology Today

Bayou City Dermatology is a medically-led clinic that provides cutting-edge treatment for virtually any cosmetic or medical dermatological need. Conditions, such as psoriasis, usually need a targeted approach. This means that you might benefit from cosmetic treatments in conjunction with medical ones.

Because we’re a doctor-led clinic, our experienced and advanced clinicians can assess and initiate the right treatment for your psoriasis. This removes the need to see multiple practitioners and travel to different locations to take advantage of the latest treatment.

Visit https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/services for more information and get in touch for an informal chat.