Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Overview

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.

Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate. The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while. Common triggers in people with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis include infections, cuts or burns, and certain medications.

Treatments are available to help you manage symptoms. And you can try lifestyle habits and coping strategies to help you live better with psoriasis.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:

• A patchy rash that varies widely in how it looks from person to person, ranging from spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions over much of the body
• Rashes that vary in color, tending to be shades of purple with gray scale on brown or Black skin and pink or red with silver scale on white skin
• Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• Itching, burning or soreness
• Cyclic rashes that flare for a few weeks or months and then subside

There are several types of psoriasis, each of which varies in its signs and symptoms.

When to see a dermatologist

If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your health care provider. Also seek medical care if your condition:

• Becomes severe or widespread
• Causes you discomfort and pain
• Causes you concern about the appearance of your skin
• Doesn’t improve with treatment

Treating Acne:

There are many different types of treatment for acne. Treatment is based on a case by case scenario and is specific to the different levels of acne that you might have. Acne is a diagnosis that is easily controllable.

People who have mild acne have a few blemishes. They may have whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and/or pustules (aka pimples). Many people can treat mild acne with products that you can buy without a prescription. A product containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid often clears the skin. This does not mean that the acne will clear overnight.

Despite the claims, acne treatment does not work overnight. At-home treatment requires 4-8 weeks to see improvement. Once acne clears, you must continue to treat the skin to prevent breakouts.

When to see a dermatologist

If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your health care provider. Also seek medical care if your condition:

• Becomes severe or widespread
• Causes you discomfort and pain
• Causes you concern about the appearance of your skin
• Doesn’t improve with treatment

Treatment

There is no cure for psoriasis.

Psoriasis treatments aim to stop skin cells from growing so quickly and to remove scales. Options include creams and ointments (topical therapy), and oral or injected medications.

Which treatments you use depends on how severe the psoriasis is and how responsive it has been to previous treatment and self-care measures. You might need to try different drugs or a combination of treatments before you find an approach that works. Even with successful treatment, usually the disease returns.

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