Houston Psoriasis Specialists
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes your body to make new skin cells much faster than it normally would. This leads to a buildup of skin cells that create thick, scaly patches on the surface of your skin. There are several types of this skin disease, but plaque psoriasis is the most common. Plaques are raised patches on the skin that can become extremely itchy. Without treatment, plaques can begin to burn and sting. About 80%-90% of people suffering from this disease get plaques.
Different Types Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis comes in different conditions and symptoms. Knowing the type of condition you have makes it easier to choose the right treatment plan.
The different types of psoriasis are:
Nail psoriasis
This type affects the nails on the fingers and toes. It appears alongside rashes that occur in different parts of the body.
Guttate psoriasis
This disease appears after an infection such as strep throat. It identifies with small and red scaly patches in some body parts. This skin disorder often occurs among children and young adults.
Inverse psoriasis
The disease appears in some body regions where the skin rubs together. The common areas are the armpits, buttocks, and groin.
Pustular psoriasis
The skin disease is a rare form, where inflammation widely spreads in the skin. It appears with distinct small white or yellow blisters or bumps.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
An aggressive type of the disease, it causes a peeling rash on a large part of the body’s surface. It comes with an itchy and burning sensation.
Psoriatic arthritis
This condition leads the joints to become swollen and painful. It is a long-term condition that becomes worse in time, especially in the morning or while at rest.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis?
The signs and symptoms vary from person-to-person. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Red patches of thickened skin covered in silvery patches
- Dry, cracked skin
- Scaly skin
- Itchy, burning, or painful skin
- Thickened or ridged nails
- Swollen or stiff joints
Plaques can develop anywhere, but this condition most often affects the skin on your knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back.
Unbearable itchiness? Skin Cancer Specialist will help you feel relief from Psoriasis.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Psoriasis isn’t contagious. Though scientists are still working on discovering exactly what causes it, they know it’s related to your immune system. Certain factors can trigger this disorder to appear for the first time or flare-up in someone who already has it.
Common psoriasis triggers include:
- Stress. Stress increases inflammation and discomfort.
- Infections. Infections like strep throat can migrate to the skin and stimulate.
- Tobacco. Smoking intercepts cell-to-cell interactions that affects the immune system’s proper work.
- Alcohol. Too much alcohol increases growth of inflammatory properties that cause infections.
- Cold, dry weather. Extreme cold weather makes the air drier which triggers dryness on the scales.
- Medications. Medications such as lithium and drugs for high blood pressure and anti-malaria increases flare-ups.
These triggers vary from person-to-person. Dr. Fakhouri works with you to discover your particular triggers because avoiding these triggers can prevent future flare-ups.
How To Diagnose Psoriasis
It is best to consult a skin expert to assess your condition if you have the common symptoms associated with the condition.
A specialist has the expertise to diagnose common skin diseases such as psoriasis.
Assessment.
The specialist assesses your health, specifically your skin, scalp, and nails.
Examination.
If symptoms are visible in the body, your healthcare provider can take a sample of the affected area for further investigation. A biopsy is a specific type of laboratory examination where a skin sample goes under a microscope to confirm your condition.
Confirmation.
Based on the results of the examination, your doctor confirms if you have the condition or if you have another skin disease. This step guides your doctor on what the next step will be.
What Is The Treatment For Psoriasis?
As a highly trained dermatologist, Dr. Fakhouri can make diagnosis by performing a physical exam and review of your medical history. Then, he develops a treatment plan to help you manage your particular condition.
Treatment may include:
- Topical medicines. This therapy can reduce rash build-up among mild cases by applying gently on the skin for a certain period of time.
- Lifestyle changes. Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle can decrease symptoms and prevent severe flare-ups. Doctors may advise to quit smoking, lessen alcohol intake, and eat a balanced diet regularly.
- Light therapy. Exposing skin to natural or artificial light to improve the skin’s condition and decrease inflammation. Therapy is usually done on repeat for moderate to severe cases.
- Medications. Intake of oral or injected medications such as steroids and retinoids to lessen inflammation of persistent patches for moderator to severe cases.
Since this disease is an ongoing skin problem, Dr. Fakhouri continues to monitor your health with follow-up appointments. This helps him modify your treatment to create optimal results. If you think you have psoriasis, call or book an appointment online today.
What Are The Benefits Of Psoriasis Treatment?
he health condition can get worse if it is left untreated. Treating this skin disorder can reduce discomfort, make the skin less inflamed, and boost your self-esteem.
- Reduce symptoms. Treatment eases the symptoms such as flare-ups, itchiness, and discomfort.
- Better skin. By seeking medication, your skin can get lesser rashes and patches, giving you better skin clearance.
Protects heart and joints. Long-term inflammation caused by psoriasis can affect the heart and joints. This can put you at risk for other diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. Treatment minimizes this long-term risk.
Skin Cancer Specialists will help you soothe the pain from your Psoriasis.
Am I A Candidate For Psoriasis Treatment?
Given the common symptoms of the disease, you might wonder if you are a candidate for treatment. You need a recommendation from a doctor to know if you need medication and what type of treatment best suits your condition.
If you want expert advise, call Skin Cancer Specialist to assess your skin for possible psoriasis treatment.
Psoriasis Treatment Cost?
Psoriasis treatment cost depends on the severity of the symptoms. Your healthcare provider needs to make an initial evaluation of your condition to come up with an estimated amount.
Skin Cancer Specialists can provide you with an accurate costing of the whole treatment from consultation, treatment, and follow-up check-ups
Why Choose Skin Cancer Specialists For Your Psoriasis Treatment?
When it comes to skin disease treatment, it is best to seek help only from the best. Skin Cancer Specialists takes pride in being the leading specialists in Texas.
Highly-trained skin experts.
With years of experience in dermatology and surgery, our skin experts led by Dr. Fakhouri, have in-depth knowledge of different types of skin diseases. Dr. Fakhouri can perform the best treatments with the utmost expertise no matter what your skin condition is.
Excellent service.
The moment you step into the clinic from consultation and treatment up to follow-up check-ups, you can count on our staff’s outstanding quality of service.
Convenient locations.
You can get a consultation in any of our locations in Sugar Land, Houston, Katy, and Conroe and receive the same level of high-quality treatment.
Are you looking for treatment? Book a consultation with a Texas psoriasis specialist today.
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