Navigating Life With Psoriasis – Insights, Treatments, and Lifestyle Strategies

If you have psoriasis, you may be wondering if you will ever enjoy clear skin. Good news! Your dermatologist can help treat and manage your psoriasis, so you can be comfortable in your own skin. The dermatologists at Cary Dermatology Center and Cary Aesthetic Center in Cary, NC, provide a wide range of dermatology services, including diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.

What You Need To Know About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common condition treated by a dermatologist. It’s caused by genetic and autoimmune factors which make your body produce too many skin cells too quickly. The excess production of skin cells results in scaly, itchy patches of skin.

The most common areas for these patches to develop are on the scalp, elbows, and behind the knees, but they can form in other areas. The patches can itch, often severely. There are several factors which can trigger a psoriasis outbreak. These triggers include:

• A stressful event
• An illness
• A skin injury
• Excessive sun exposure
• Excessive wind, cold, or dry weather exposure
• Smoking or drinking alcohol
• Hormonal changes

It’s best to avoid these triggers whenever possible, and there are a few important ways to deal with these triggers. You should:

• Practice stress management techniques regularly
• Avoid being around people who are ill
• Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you are outside
• Protect your skin against wind and cold temperatures
• Don’t smoke, and drink alcohol only in moderation

Professional treatment of psoriasis depends on the severity and how much of your body is involved. For mild psoriasis which involves less than 3% of your body, your dermatologist may recommend:

• Prescription moisturizing creams, shampoos, or bath treatments.
• Topical steroid treatments to reduce itching and slow down skin cell growth

For moderate psoriasis which involves 3% to 10% of your body, or severe psoriasis which involves over 10% of your body, your dermatologist may recommend:

• Light therapy using natural sunlight, lasers, or phototherapy to eliminate psoriasis patches
• Prescription oral medications including cyclosporine and methotrexate to lower skin cell production and reduce inflammation
• Biologic drugs to suppress the immune system and reduce psoriasis breakouts

Want To Know More About Psoriasis?

To discover more about the causes, signs, symptoms, management, and treatment of psoriasis, call the dermatologists at Cary Dermatology Center and Cary Aesthetic Center in Cary, NC. You can reach them in the office by calling (919) 467-8556, so call today.