Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that is known to affect the skin. It causes skin cells to multiply abnormally fast. Skin cells typically have a life span of about a month, during which they migrate from the dermis to the epidermis. Psoriasis causes skin cells to migrate up to ten times faster than normal. The body can’t keep up with such an accelerated pace, and the skin cells pile up and produce the itchy red patches of skin characteristic of the condition. If you live in Paragould, Poplar Bluff, or a nearby city and are dealing with this condition, you owe it to yourself to learn about your treatment options.
How is Psoriasis Treated?
While there is so far no cure, there are different treatments that can ease the symptoms. Our doctor will first have to consider the type, its location, and its severity when selecting an appropriate treatment. For example, the condition is considered mild if it affects less than three percent of the patient’s skin. If three to ten percent of the patient’s skin is affected, they are said to have moderate psoriasis. Severe psoriasis affects over ten percent of the skin.
Mild to moderate psoriasis may be treated with skin creams and ointments. Creams are a particularly common treatment, and they relieve itching and reduce inflammation. They can also reduce the production of skin cells.
Our doctor in Paragould or Poplar Bluff may recommend light therapy for patients with persistent psoriasis that hasn’t responded to other treatments. He may also prescribe oral medications, depending on the situation.
What is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that affects about 30 percent of psoriasis patients. The symptoms can be similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, and there are five types. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis is the most common type and affects about 50 percent of patients with psoriatic arthritis. It is called “symmetric,” for it affects joints on both sides of the body at the same time.
Contact Us Today to Learn About Your Options
Don’t let psoriasis negatively affect your life any longer. Set up a consultation at Dr. Yeoman’s Dermatology Office, with locations in Paragould and Poplar Bluff, to see what your treatment options are. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
