According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than 8 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. With locations in Houston, Rosenberg, Lake Jackson, Portland, Corpus Christi, Palacios, Columbus, Gonzales, Dallas, Mansfield, Beaumont, Bay City, New Braunfels, and San Antonio, Texas, the board-certified dermatologists at Heights Dermatology provide complete care for psoriasis. Call the office nearest you today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflamed patches of skin. Your skin may appear red with silvery scales or flakes when you have psoriasis. It’s common for the affected skin to feel itchy and sore. Among many types of psoriasis, each has its own unique set of symptoms and triggers that can impact your quality of life.
What are the different types of psoriasis?
Some of the most common types of psoriasis are:
- Plaque psoriasis
- Plaque psoriasis causes patches of red, itchy skin with scales. While these patches can appear nearly anywhere, plaque psoriasis commonly develops on the scalp, elbows, and knees.
- Guttate psoriasis
- Guttate psoriasis typically causes teardrop-shaped lesions on the arms or legs. Illnesses, such as strep throat, commonly cause guttate psoriasis in children and adolescents.
- Nail psoriasis
- Nail psoriasis can develop in the fingernails or toenails. The condition causes abnormal grooves, separation of the nail and nail bed, and irregular growth.
- Inverse psoriasis
- Inverse psoriasis occurs in areas where the skin folds, including the groin, buttocks, and underneath the breasts.
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Many individuals with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes stiff, sore, painful joints.
What causes psoriasis?
When you have psoriasis, your skin cells regenerate too quickly. This rapid cell regeneration leads to inflamed patches of skin. Many people with psoriasis experience ebbs and flows in their flare-ups. You can be symptom-free for years before psoriasis flares up again.
Anybody can develop psoriasis, but having a family history of the disease, chronic stress, and smoking cigarettes are common triggers.
Other psoriasis triggers include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Infections
- Cold, dry weather
- Insect bites
- Sunburns
- Cuts or scrapes
- Certain medications
Understanding your psoriasis triggers can minimize your frequency of flare-ups in the future.
What are the treatments for psoriasis?
The dermatologists at Heights Dermatology offer several treatments for psoriasis, including:
- Topical ointments
- Oral medications
- Corticosteroids
- Retinoids
XTRAC® therapy
XTRAC therapy delivers a concentrated beam of UVB light directly into the areas of the skin that psoriasis affects without harming the healthy tissue. Treatments are quick and painless. Many patients experience long-term relief from their psoriasis symptoms after just 10-12 sessions.
To learn more about psoriasis, call Heights Dermatology at one of our convenient locations or schedule an appointment online today
