What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that appears as red, thickened areas of skin with significant scale. It is most commonly located on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but can appear anywhere on the body. Psoriasis affects up to 5% of the population. It can appear at any age, but most commonly appears at two specific peaks: one at 20-30 years of age and a second peak at 50-60 years. Psoriasis not only affects a patient’s skin, it can also create a significant emotional burden in those who suffer from it.
Our goal at Treasure Valley Dermatology is to provide you with the most effective treatment and limit the number of visits required to resolve your psoriasis issues.
What causes psoriasis?
Despite decades of research, a specific cause is still not known. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disorder. A complex combination of genetics and environmental triggers including stress, trauma to the skin, certain medications, and infections lead to the development of psoriasis.
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
Most cases of psoriasis can be easily identified by a
trained dermatology professional with a simple skin exam. In some instances, a skin biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Numerous other skin conditions including
eczema, fungal infections, and other inflammatory skin conditions can have a similar appearance to psoriasis, so it is important to be evaluated by someone familiar with this disease.
Although psoriasis may appear to be a skin only disease we now understand that psoriasis can lead to inflammation in your body that can affect your joints, heart, and blood vessels and may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. These factors make it critical to seek appropriate treatment of psoriasis and its potential complications.
What treatments are available?
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments available to those suffering from psoriasis. While there is no definitive cure, there are several highly effective options with more being developed each year. Some of the treatments we most commonly use at Treasure Valley Dermatology:
Vitamin D Analogues
Topical medications containing calcipotriene (a form of synthetic Vitamin D) work to slow the growth of skin cells and decrease inflammation. They are most commonly used in combination with topical steroids.
Ultraviolet light has long been known to improve psoriasis without the risks of systemic therapy. When appropriate, our providers can help you obtain UVB light treatment.
Oral Medications
Numerous oral medications including otezla, methotrexate and soriatane are used as a first-line treatment in those with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Biologic Medications
Medications such as Humira, Taltz, Cosentyx, and Stelara are injected into the skin and provide excellent results in patients not adequately controlled with treatments listed above.
The XTRAC excimer laser delivers a highly targeted therapeutic beam of UVB light to treat psoriasis and vitiligo.1-3 Quick and virtually painless without the troublesome side effects of other treatment options, it’s simply a better way to long-lasting results.
If you have psoriasis, please call and schedule an appointment with one of our physicians. Psoriasis doesn’t have to be a burden in your life, and we will be happy to create a treatment plan to make that possible.
To receive a skin examination or dermatologic treatment,
request an appointment or call Treasure Valley Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Boise today.
(208) 519-4333
Psoriasis conditions can vary significantly from patient to patient depending on the skin type and severity of environmental conditions.