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Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the skin characterized by excessive turnover of skin cells caused by an autoantigenic immune response leading to unhealthy psoriasis plaques on the skin. Some common types of psoriasis are plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. For an accurate assessment, schedule your appointment with OC MedDerm and visit irvineskin.com.
No, psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease and it is not caused by infection
Infections like strep throat, skin and viral infections serve as a common trigger for the psoriasis disorder. Under the framework of “the environment pulls the trigger, while genetics loads the gun”, any pre-existing infection may elicit a flare up in a psoriasis prone individual.
Psoriasis can occur at any age however the first peak of psoriasis usually starts at the age of 5 years due to strep throat and the second peak occurs around late teens into the early twenties.
Moderate sunlight exposure, about 10 to 15 minutes a day, may aid in cases of mild psoriasis. Some sun exposure is beneficial because the UV light might help reduce the rate of skin cell production that leads to the scaly plaques. Also, too much sun can worsen psoriasis by causing a flare up, sunburn, and aging the skin. If you would like dermatology services at OC MedDerm, kindly visit irvineskin.com to receive further instructions for possible referral light therapy.
Of course, applying sunblock is important, but to some degree can be skipped on areas with plaque psoriasis and applied only on healthy skin if exposed to sunlight for just 10-15 minutes. If the expected sun exposure is longer than 15 minutes, it is best to apply sunblock to all sun exposed areas. For all other cases a mineral based broad spectrum sunblock, with SPF 30+ containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, protects the best. Unscented and hypoallergenic sunscreen is recommended for sensitive skin, and should be reapplied every 2 hours, or more frequently, when sweating or swimming.
Steroid injection into psoriasis plaques is the fastest option to treat isolated psoriasis skin lesions, taking one to two weeks. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It takes a few months for topical or oral medications to clear acne.
Though there is no definitive cure for psoriasis, its symptoms can lessen with the use of topical corticosteroids, injection corticosteroids, systemic medications such as biologics and cyclosporine, as well as phototherapy.
The treatment for psoriasis differs depending on its type and severity, including plaque psoriasis, guttate, or inverse. Some of the more effective options include topical steroids (Clobetasol, Mometasone, Betamethasone), vitamin D analogs, topical retinoids, coal tar, and calcineurin inhibitors, in addition to phototherapy. Calibrated doses of oral medications in the form of methotrexate, cyclosporine, or biologics like Humira may also be used to help manage more aggressive manifestations of the disease. All forms of psoriasis can also benefit from hydration, stress management, and changes to diet. Some research suggests that low inflammatory foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and alcohol avoidance may also be beneficial.
In the case of more mild manifestations, it is clinically plausible for lesions to resolve spontaneously, but they often become chronic and progressive instead. Furthermore, any resolution of plaques will almost inevitably be followed by a period of exacerbation induced by stress, changes in weather, infections, or sunburns. At OC MedDerm, we can prescribe medications that will help control the condition. Obtain an appointment by visiting irvineskin.com today!
Psoriasis is a condition that can often be managed effectively with strategic lifestyle modifications and the appropriate medications; therefore it is possible to go about life trouble-free while dealing with the condition.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune illness affecting the integumentary system. Mild cases of psoriasis are usually not problematic, however, moderate to severe cases can be debilitating for individuals, fundamentally affecting their quality of life. For a lot of individuals, the manifestation of psoriasis may be uncomfortable and even embarrassing, given that it may cause disfigurement over time. In most cases it affects mental health and individuals with psoriasis tend to be stressed, anxiety ridden, and depressed because of how their skin looks. If left unchecked, psoriasis can become severely itchy and make sleeping difficult, which can have detrimental effects on daily functioning and productivity. For other individuals, psoriasis can lead to irreversible psoriatic arthritis, which is a severe complication of psoriasis in which inflammation of the skin can progress to the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and possibly lifelong joint deformity if unchecked. There are also heightened concerns for other health ailments due to the fact that it is autoimmune; because of the chronic inflammation, it is linked to heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and even Crohn’s disease. As much as there can be complications with psoriasis, swinging by OC MedDerm and dermatology providers regularly could be life-altering to monitor and prevent complications from occurring. Physicians can also be booked on irvineskin.com to help you manage your psoriasis!
To clarify, psoriasis is not a bacterial infection; rather, it is an autoimmune disorder and, as such, is not contagious.
Nonetheless, it may worsen because of external causations like skin injury with accompanying infection or infection with streptococcal sore throat. Psoriasis is not a type of fungal infection but there is one condition known as sebopsoriasis which is associated with autoimmune and fungal components. There is a form of dermatitis, known as seborrheic dermatitis, that is included in the definition of sebopsoriasis and is exacerbated by a fungus, the Malassezia, that is part of the skin flora.
Yes. Mild cases may not be annoying and luckily we do have many different treatments available for more severe cases of psoriasis.
A patient’s individual psoriasis condition, including which body part is affected and its severity, will in part determine the choice of the best medicine. For mild to moderate psoriasis, initial treatment is usually with topical corticosteroids. This is the most common first topical treatment choice due to their rapid anti-inflammatory actions. Another type of medication that is effective for mild to moderate psoriasis is vitamin D analogs like calcipotriene. Calcipotriene is gentler on the skin than steroids and can be used long-term because it slows down the rapid turnover of skin cells that’s characteristic of psoriasis. Another topical treatment that can be used is tacrolimus or pimecrolimus which is best for sensitive areas of the face, eyelids, and genitals. These drugs help prevent the immune system from initiating an inflammatory response. For moderate and severe psoriasis and for the more widespread forms of psoriasis, phototherapy and biologic treatments such as Humira or Enbrel are helpful. UVB light therapy is particularly useful for widespread psoriasis which may be difficult to treat with topical treatments. Biologics work to prevent specific aspects of the immune system from having an overactive response. Other oral medications that have immunosuppressant properties and are used for severe cases of psoriasis include methotrexate and cyclosporine. These medications aid in mitigating inflammation and reducing the turnover of skin cells.
Psoriasis is caused by a complex interplay of factors including family history, dysfunction of the immune system, and environmental factors.
Paucisymptomatic psoriasis requires aggressive treatment and system changes to minimize and control the inflammation, flare-up triggers, and skin health in a holistic way. People with psoriasis are advised by our dermatology providers at OC MedDerm to treat the skin diligently from the outset with consistent topical treatments, consider phototherapy (UVB light therapy), and control stress levels, avoid skin trauma, moisturize the skin, take warm showers and use gentle soaps, avoid personal triggers, refrain from smoking, and alcohol consumption should be curtailed.
Psoriasis of the scalp is best treated with shampoo that works best at reducing inflammation, soothing irritation, and controlling the rapid skin cell turnover. Some of the most effective shampoos include coal tar shampoos (like Neutrogena T-Gel therapeutic shampoo or Denorex Extra Strength Dandruff Shampoo), salicylic acid shampoos (like Neutrogena T-Sal therapeutic shampoo), ketoconazole shampoos (like Nizoral Anti-Dandruff shampoo), zinc pyrithione shampoo (like Head and Shoulders Clinical Shampoo), and Tea Tree Oil shampoos(Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo). There is an abundance of over the counter options and for the best guidance, these can be chosen with the assistance of an OC MedDerm dermatology provider. For more information visit irvineskin.com.
Yes, psoriasis can cause hair loss, especially when it’s on the scalp and itchy. Scratching can damage and break the hair. The positive aspect about psoriasis and hair loss is that it is regrowth.
Yes, psoriasis is genetic in nature. The condition tends to run in families which suggests that genetic factors have a major contribution in its evolution. But, it is not as straightforward as inheriting a gene from the parents, psoriasis involves many things such as a combination of genetics and environmental factors put together to solicit the condition.
Yes psoriasis is a chronic condition so it will always be a part of the patient once they are diagnosed, however it can be managed and controlled. When it is in remission it can be triggered by factors such as stress, food, and skin injuries.
Psoriasis can be prevented by starting treatment immediately to control flareups and
Yes psoriasis is genetically linked and since it is hereditary it can be passed to children. There are studies that show individuals with psoriasis usually have a family history of this condition.
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