Psoriasis Specialist

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by a problem involving your immune system. Though there are many types of psoriasis, people with the skin condition regenerate new skin cells significantly faster than normal.

In the most common type of psoriasis — plaque psoriasis — the overproduction of skin cells leads to scaly patches of skin, also known as plaque.

What are the types of psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects the skin in many ways, causing a wide range of symptoms. Your symptoms determine the type of psoriasis you have.

Plaque psoriasis

Up to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. With this type, you develop thick, raised, scaly patches of skin.

Guttate psoriasis

With guttate psoriasis, you develop tiny pink bumps all over your body. This type of psoriasis tends to occur in children or teens following an infection.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis causes smooth, painful patches of skin in areas where your skin folds, like under your arms, breast, or buttocks.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled bumps. These bumps may only appear on your hand and feet or all over your body (known as generalized pustular psoriasis). 

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis causes a red, burning rash that covers the entire body. This is a rare type of psoriasis and usually occurs if you already have other psoriasis. 

Erythrodermic psoriasis is serious and life-threatening and requires emergency medical care.

Nail psoriasis

Psoriasis also affects the nails, causing brittle, crumbly nails.

What happens during a psoriasis evaluation?

When you visit Dermatology Associates of Texas for a psoriasis consultation, you can expect a patient-centered examination. Your dermatologist asks detailed questions about your symptoms when they occur, and the treatments you’ve tried in the past.

They also review your medical and family history and examine your skin. 

How is psoriasis treated?

The Dermatology Associates of Texas team customizes your psoriasis treatment plan based on the type and severity of symptoms. Your dermatologist aims to reduce your psoriasis flare-ups and provide treatments to ease symptoms when they occur.

Treatment options for psoriasis include:

• Topical corticosteroids — reduce itching and inflammation
• Vitamin D analogs — slow skin cell growth
• Retinoids — ease skin irritation
• Calcineurin inhibitors — reduce inflammation and plaque buildup
• Salicylic acid — reduce scaling
• Coal tar — reduce scaling, itching, and inflammation
• Light therapy — for moderate to severe psoriasis
• Oral steroids — for mild cases of psoriasis
• Methotrexate — decrease skin cell production
• Biologics — disrupts the disease cycle

No single treatment works for all, and you may need a combination of treatments and therapies to get the best results.

For comprehensive psoriasis care, call Dermatology Associates of Texas or schedule an appointment online today.