Psoriasis can cause itchy, scaly patches, redness, dryness, and uncomfortable flare-ups that keep coming back. At Waterside Dermatology, our doctors take the time to understand how psoriasis affects you and provide treatment focused on restoring healthier skin.
Calm Inflammation
and Recurring Flare-Ups
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes skin cells to build up more quickly than normal, creating thick, scaly, itchy, or irritated patches. Symptoms often come and go in periods called flares. While psoriasis has no cure, treatment can help control inflammation and manage flare-ups. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend topical or oral medications, injectables, light-based therapies, or a combination of treatments to maintain healthy skin.
Signs & Symptoms of Psoriasis:
- Thick, raised patches of skin
- Silvery or whitish scales
- Red or discolored areas of skin
- Dry, cracked skin
- Itching or burning
- Soreness or tenderness
- Recurring skin flare-ups
- Small, scaly spots
- Nail pitting or thickening
- Scalp scaling and irritation
- Joint pain or stiffness in some people
- Changes in fingernails or toenails
What Causes Psoriasis?
Psoriasis develops when the immune system becomes overactive and speeds up the normal growth cycle of skin cells. Instead of shedding normally, these cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, leading to characteristic thick, scaly patches. Environmental and lifestyle factors can also trigger symptoms or contribute to recurring flare-ups over time.
Common factors that may increase your risk or trigger flare-ups include:
- A family history of psoriasis
- Infections, including strep throat
- Stress and emotional strain
- Cuts, burns, or other skin injuries
- Cold or dry weather
- Certain medications
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Hormonal changes
- Obesity or excess body weight
Treatment for Psoriasis
Your consultation begins with a careful examination of your skin, including where symptoms appear and how extensive they are. Your doctor will ask about when your symptoms began, how often you experience flare-ups, possible triggers, previous treatments, medications, family history, and whether you’ve noticed nail changes or joint symptoms.
Your treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of your psoriasis, the areas affected, and how it impacts your life. Treatment may include topical medications, oral or injectable medications, light-based therapy, or a combination of treatments. Your doctor can monitor your response over time and adjust treatment plans when needed, with the goal of controlling inflammation, reducing uncomfortable symptoms, and helping you manage future flare-ups.
FAQs
Will My Psoriasis Ever Go Away Completely?
Psoriasis is a chronic condition, so there currently isn’t a cure. However, treatment can help you control symptoms and experience periods when your skin is significantly clearer, or symptoms are minimal. Your treatment plan may change over time as your condition and needs evolve.
How Do I Know What Type of Psoriasis I Have?
Your doctor can usually identify the type by examining the appearance and location of your symptoms and reviewing your medical history. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form, but psoriasis can appear in several patterns that may require different treatment approaches.
Can I Spread Psoriasis to Other People?
No. Psoriasis is not contagious, so you cannot spread it through touching, sharing personal items, or close contact. The condition results from immune system activity rather than from an infection that can pass from one person to another.
What Can Trigger My Psoriasis Flare-Ups?
Triggers vary from person to person. You may notice flare-ups after stress, illness, skin injuries, certain medications, or changes in weather. Learning your individual triggers can be a useful part of managing your condition over the long term.
Take Control of Recurring Flare-Ups
Psoriasis may be a long-term condition, but the right care can make it easier to manage. If you’re ready to get your symptoms under better control, call Waterside Dermatology to schedule your consultation for psoriasis treatment in Bradenton, FL, and find a plan that works for your skin.
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