Psoriasis, characterized by itchy, painful plaques, not only impacts your physical health but can deeply affect your self-esteem and overall quality of life. For those seeking in-depth psoriasis care, the board-certified dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology in Keller are committed to providing you with compassionate care and extensive experience in crafting treatments tailored to your distinct skincare needs. Schedule your appointment using the online system or ring the office directly.
Psoriasis is a persistent inflammatory ailment that manifests when skin cells proliferate at a speed faster than usual. As these cells swiftly multiply, they accumulate on the skin, forming reddened, scaly patches.
Although psoriasis can manifest at any life stage, it predominantly surfaces within two age brackets: between 15-20 and among adults aged 55-60.
The symptoms you encounter are contingent on the specific variant of psoriasis:
Plaque Psoriasis
The most prevalent, plaque psoriasis results in reddened, elevated skin patches laden with a scaly accumulation of desiccated skin cells. These plaques can be quite painful, are prone to itchiness, and may fissure and bleed. Typical locations for plaques include the elbows, knees, scalp, and lumbar region.
Guttate Psoriasis
Ranking second in prevalence, guttate psoriasis leads to petite, red skin lesions. Predominantly afflicting children and teenagers, its onset can often be traced back to a streptococcal infection.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis manifests in skin folds, yielding reddened, inflamed patches, particularly in regions like the underarms, behind the knees, or the groin.
Pustular Psoriasis
This variant culminates in pus-filled blisters encircled by reddened skin.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
A relatively rare variant, erythrodermic psoriasis engenders redness, pronounced itching, and pain enveloping a majority of the body.
A sizable fraction of patients note that certain triggers exacerbate their psoriasis, including:
Habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also provoke psoriasis episodes.
After a thorough perusal of your medical background and a comprehensive inspection, Northstar Dermatology commences your therapeutic journey by pinpointing your triggers. By sidestepping these triggers, flare-ups can be effectively mitigated.
The gamut of treatments offered includes:
Topical Therapy
This encompasses moisturizers and medicinal creams that ameliorate itching and curtail plaque formation.
Phototherapy
Treatments such as blue light therapy and excimer laser therapy have been demonstrated to benefit psoriasis sufferers. Excimer lasers discharge a controlled, curative UV beam pinpointing psoriasis patches.
Oral Medications
For moderate to severe psoriasis cases that resist other treatments, Northstar Dermatology prescribes oral medications. There are various drugs at disposal to temper inflammation and modulate skin cell proliferation.
For an all-encompassing psoriasis care regimen, reach out to Northstar Dermatology or book an appointment online today.
