Psoriasis

Psoriasis

Psoriasis in Haddon Heights, NJ

Proudly Serving South Jersey, Gloucester County, & Camden County

It’s believed that as many as 125 million people worldwide suffer from psoriasis, a chronic skin disorder that causes skin cells to multiply faster than is normal. When skin cells grow they start in the deeper layers of the skin and slowly come to the surface in a process known as cell turnover.

However, if you have psoriasis this cell turnover happens in just a few days rather than in a month. This causes dead cells to quickly accumulate on the surface of the skin and cause inflamed, thick, red and sometimes scaly patches on the skin.

Psoriasis can occur just about anywhere on the body but is most often found on the legs, back, feet, knees, scalp, face and elbows. The symptoms of this condition will depend on what type you have. The most common form is plaque psoriasis and it is characterized by:

  • Red, scaly skin
  • Lesions that may hurt or itch
  • Patches that crack or bleed
  • Discolored or crumbling nails
  • Crusty scales on the scalp

Other types of psoriasis include:

  • Inverse psoriasis
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis
  • Pustular psoriasis
  • Guttate psoriasis

Those with psoriasis often feel embarrassed by their condition, particularly if they are unable to figure out what is causing their flare-ups. While there is no cure you can still find the relief you need when you turn to us for care. There are many treatments options that can help clear up these scaly patches and reduce the severity and number of flare-ups.

You’ll be happy to hear that psoriasis actually reacts well to many systemic and topical therapies. In fact, the majority of patients being treated for psoriasis see a vast improvement in their flare-ups after a couple months of treatment.

Topical Treatments

These medications are applied directly to the skin to help treat symptoms such as redness, inflammation, pain, and itching. Common topical treatments include:

  • Salicylic acid
  • Steroidal creams
  • Coal tar
  • Prescription-strength retinoids

Light Therapy

Those with psoriasis may also notice an improvement in their symptoms when they are exposed to sunlight for short periods of time. If you are dealing with a difficult case that has been a challenge to treat then UV light therapy might finally offer the results you want.

Oral Medications

If other treatments haven’t offered results, then oral medications may be prescribed. Because psoriasis is due in part to an overactive immune system, some medications may try to alter how your immune system functions.

Are you desperately looking for a treatment that will ease your psoriasis flare-ups? Then it’s time you called our office, in Camden County, at (856) 547-8004 to schedule an appointment.