Psoriasis causes skin cells to build up faster than normal, creating inflamed, scaly patches. Our dermatology team evaluates your symptoms and develops a plan to reduce flare-ups and protect your skin.
We address concerns such as:
Raised or scaly plaques
Itching or burning
Dry, cracked skin
Scalp scaling
Nail changes
Skin discoloration
Painful or tender patches
Recurring flares
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. The extra cells collect on the skin, causing patches that itch, burn, crack, or bleed.
A thoughtful psoriasis treatment plan begins with identifying the type, severity, and location of your symptoms. Your provider also considers how the condition affects your comfort, sleep, daily routine, and overall health.
Understand Your Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. The extra cells collect on the skin, causing patches that itch, burn, crack, or bleed.
A thoughtful psoriasis treatment plan begins with identifying the type, severity, and location of your symptoms. Your provider also considers how the condition affects your comfort, sleep, daily routine, and overall health.
The exact cause is not fully understood, but immune system activity and genetics play major roles. Psoriasis can run in families, although not everyone with a family history develops it.
Symptoms often move through cycles. A flare-up may last for weeks or months before easing. Common triggers include stress, skin injuries, infections, cold or dry weather, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and certain medications.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form and causes raised, dry patches covered with scale. Other types include:
Psoriasis can also affect the scalp and nails.
Some patients develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness, or swelling. Tell your provider about any joint symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to your skin.
Please note: Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch it through touch, shared items, or close contact.
Your provider usually diagnoses psoriasis through a skin examination and by assessing your medical history. We ask when the symptoms began, where they appear, whether they come and go, and which factors seem to worsen them.
Because eczema, fungal infections, and other rashes can resemble psoriasis, your provider may take a small skin biopsy when the diagnosis is unclear. Identifying the correct condition helps prevent ineffective or irritating care.
The goal of care is to slow rapid skin-cell growth, reduce inflammation, clear scales, and limit future flares. Your provider selects options based on the affected body area, symptom severity, medical history, and response to earlier therapies.
Mild symptoms may respond to prescription creams, ointments, lotions, or medicated shampoos. Phototherapy exposes the skin to controlled ultraviolet light and helps patients with more widespread disease.
Moderate or severe psoriasis may require oral medication or injections that target specific parts of the immune response. Finding the right option may take time, so ongoing visits help us monitor results and adjust your plan.
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There is no current cure for psoriasis, but effective care can reduce symptoms and support longer periods of clearer skin. Some patients experience mild, occasional flare-ups, while others require ongoing medication.
Your needs may change over time. Regular follow-up appointments allow your provider to monitor your skin, review side effects, and update your plan when a medication stops working well.
Triggers vary between patients. Common examples include stress, infections, skin injuries, cold weather, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and certain medicines.
Keeping notes about your symptoms may help you identify patterns. However, you should not stop a prescribed medication without speaking with the provider who manages it. Our team can help you assess possible triggers safely.
Psoriasis is considered an immune-mediated disease (a disease with an unclear cause). The immune system becomes overactive and speeds up skin-cell production, causing cells to build up on the surface.
This inflammation may affect more than the skin. Psoriasis has links to psoriatic arthritis and other health concerns, so tell your provider about joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or changes in your overall health.
Schedule an appointment if scaling, itching, cracking, or discomfort persists or affects your sleep and daily activities. You should also seek guidance if an over-the-counter product irritates your skin or stops helping.
Professional psoriasis treatment can confirm your diagnosis and give you access to prescription options based on your symptoms and health history.
Use gentle, fragrance-free products and apply a thick moisturizer regularly. Short, lukewarm showers may reduce dryness better than long, hot showers. Avoid picking at scales because this can damage the skin and worsen irritation.
Home care supports medical management but does not replace it. Follow your prescribed psoriasis treatment, attend scheduled visits, and contact your provider if symptoms spread, become painful, or stop responding.
