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Plaque Psoriasis – What to Expect
Getting diagnosed with plaque psoriasis is an important step, and it’s important to understand your condition before making any treatment plans. Below, you’ll find information on what to expect, including symptoms, treatments, and more.
Symptoms
During a psoriasis flare, a person may develop itchy red skin patches on various parts of their body. It is a type of inflammatory disease that affects up to 6.7 million adults in the United States. It is often triggered by environmental and lifestyle factors, but genetics and allergies are also possible triggers.
Some people with psoriasis will have joint pain as well. The condition affects a wide range of skin, including the scalp, elbows, knees, torso, feet, and groin. The symptoms of psoriasis can be a source of stress and self-consciousness for those with the disease. They may need to take medications to relieve the inflammation and itching.
The best way to find out if you have psoriasis is to talk to your doctor. He or she will examine your skin and may perform allergy tests to help diagnose the condition.
Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, which means that it is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the skin cells. The cells build up in thick, red areas, which are called plaques. The condition is not contagious, but it can spread to other parts of the body.
Plaque psoriasis can be treated with topical ointments and oral medication. However, the treatment doesn’t always work. In some cases, a patient may need a biopsy to check for damage to the skin cells. Using systemic drugs, which are a type of drug that slows the growth of new skin cells, is another option. These drugs can be taken as pills or injections. But they can cause liver problems and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Plaque psoriasis symptoms include itching, scaling, and flaking. This disease can make it difficult for people to do the things they love. Many patients feel overwhelmed by the condition, but they can get the help they need.
Some people with psoriasis experience depression, as a result of the condition. It is important to seek support from other people with the disease, as well as from your doctor. The National Psoriasis Foundation has a social media platform called Talk Psoriasis, where you can connect with other patients.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of plaque psoriasis are often confused with other skin conditions. In order to get a proper diagnosis, you should see a dermatologist. The disease can cause a range of issues, from skin irritation to pain and depression.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning it causes the immune system to attack the body’s own skin cells. In turn, the immune system triggers an inflammation response. Depending on the severity of the disease, patients may have to take systemic drugs or light therapy.
Typically, a patient with psoriasis will have a few too many lesions at a time. A new lesion typically appears two to three weeks after an injury. Sometimes, the disease will affect other parts of the body, including the hands, feet, and chest.
In some cases, a physician may perform a skin biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of the skin and examining it under a microscope. The doctor will look for clinical characteristics, such as scaling, erythema, and plaque thickness. The result of the biopsy can help the doctor make a plaque psoriasis diagnosis.
A psoriasis diagnosis can also be made through a simple medical exam. A dermatologist will review your medical history, examine your symptoms, and make a diagnosis. He or she will also discuss a treatment plan with you. Some of the treatments involve taking medication, using ultraviolet light, or both.
When a person has a psoriasis diagnosis, it’s important to stick to a treatment plan. This will help keep the skin healthy and prevent future infections. If you need help with coping with the disease, talk to your doctor or a friend. You can even seek support from a group.
The severity of the disease can be categorized by a number of different scoring systems. The Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) is a five-point scale that indicates the severity of the disease. For example, a score of 0 indicates that the condition is “clear,” while a score of 10 indicates that the patient’s psoriasis is very severe.
If you’re diagnosed with psoriasis, your dermatologist will recommend a treatment plan. You can choose from traditional topical medications, such as corticosteroids, or non-biological systemic agents. You can also try light therapy, which includes using sun lamps or ultraviolet B irradiation.
Treatments
Using the right treatments for plaque psoriasis can help you live a more comfortable life. But, you may have to change your treatment if your condition changes.
A dermatologist can diagnose your disease and prescribe the right treatments for plaque psoriasis. Your dermatologist can also review your medical history and perform a skin biopsy to see what the skin looks like. This is a test where your doctor takes a tiny sample of your skin and examines it under a microscope. You may also need to undergo phototherapy to reduce the appearance of your psoriasis.
Systemic medications are also available. These can include immunomodulating drugs, retinoids, and immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs can help calm your immune system and slow the growth of new skin cells. However, they can also have serious side effects. If you are considering a systemic medication, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
In addition, you may need to use topical agents to minimize the doses of systemic medications. You can find these products in creams, lotions, shampoos, and ointments. They can be used as an adjunct to your prescription medications or to treat flare-ups.
You can also seek out a board-certified dermatologist to treat your psoriasis. This can be a good option, especially if you have a darker skin tone. If you have a family member with psoriasis, you may be at greater risk of developing the disease.
Tar is a natural product that can help reduce the itchiness and inflammation of psoriasis. It is a popular treatment for psoriasis. It has anti-inflammatory effects, and it can be helpful as an adjunct to topical corticosteroids. It can also be used to treat intertriginous areas of the skin.
You can also try a variety of alternative therapies, such as vitamin D analogs. But, these are not recommended for everyone. If you do not have access to these medications, you can consider petroleum jelly, which has been approved for treating psoriasis. You can apply it directly to the affected area or take it as a pill.
The most important thing is to stick to your psoriasis treatment plan. You can also talk to your doctor about coping strategies.
Side effects
Having plaque psoriasis can cause mental stress and emotional difficulties. It can also lead to other medical conditions. However, there are treatments available to help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Symptoms of psoriasis include raised red patches, dry skin, and itching. They may appear anywhere on your body. In some cases, they are located on the elbows, thighs, knees, or scalp. They can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Psoriasis is a disease caused by an overactive immune system. It is believed that this abnormal response causes the production of immature skin cells at an increased rate. This is followed by an inflammation that leads to the development of skin scales.
Psoriasis can also affect the joints, leading to psoriatic arthritis. It can occur at any age. It is typically diagnosed at a young age, between 30 and 50. It is a chronic disease that causes painful joints and can increase the risk of cancer.
People with psoriasis are at greater risk of developing celiac disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that can cause damage to the small intestine. In addition, people with psoriasis are more likely to have high cholesterol, blood pressure, or heart disease.
Doctors often recommend combination therapies to treat psoriasis. These therapies target the immune system and reduce inflammation. Some patients also use medications that are used to treat other conditions, such as depression.
Some patients can also use topical treatments. These are applied to the affected areas of the skin, and they have a lower chance of causing serious side effects. These medicines are usually applied twice a day for the first few weeks. As psoriasis improves, the treatment frequency can be reduced.
Drugs that target the immune system are also used to treat psoriasis. Among these are retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives. They are prescribed to people with moderate to severe psoriasis. In addition, some people have also been prescribed methotrexate. While the drug can be effective, it can cause severe side effects, such as liver damage. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those who are allergic to retinoids. Taking folic acid can help minimize the risk of these side effects.
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
