How Severe Is Your Psoriasis
One of the challenges associated with psoriasis is that it affects people differently. Psoriasis varies among patients including the type of psoriasis, its severity, and the frequency of flares. For example, your psoriasis may flare occasionally, and someone else could deal with frequent episodes. There are five types of psoriasis.
Why Are There Fewer Options To Treat My Late
At present, there is limited data about the safety of biologic and systemic treatments for seniors. Conditions common among older adults kidney, heart and liver diseases, dementia, diabetes, and obesity can increase the risks of potential side effects and drug interactions. And because biologic treatments target the immune system, they may also be less safe for people with weakened immune systems.
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
There arent any special tests to help doctors diagnose psoriasis. Typically, a dermatologist will examine your skin and ask about your family history.
Youll likely be given a diagnosis based on this physical exam.
In some situations, doctors will remove a small sample of the skin and examine it under a microscope. This might allow them to get a better look at the affected area and make a more accurate diagnosis.
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Dermatology Located In Richland Hills Tx
Psoriasis is known for plaques that are itchy, painful, and take a toll on your overall health, self-esteem, and quality of life. When you need comprehensive care for psoriasis, the board-certified dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology in Fort Worth, Texas, have compassion and years of experience in developing customized treatments that meets your unique skin care needs. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking tool or call the office today.
Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis plaques can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. The diseases symptoms and appearance vary according to the type and severity of psoriasis.
Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Discolored patches or raised plaques of skin that are covered with scales
- Burning, itching, or soreness near the affected areas
- Pitted or thickened fingernails or toenails
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What Treatment Options For Late
The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends topical ointments for older adults with mild psoriasis. These include over-the-counter products like coal tar and salicylic acid, and prescription treatments such as retinoids, steroid creams, and forms of vitamin D. For older adults with severe psoriasis, the NPF recommends or biologic drugs, but only with careful monitoring.
Are There Home Remedies For Late
While home remedies will not make psoriasis go away, many people with mild to moderate psoriasis manage their symptoms using natural and alternative remedies. Tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar can relieve itching and loosen plaques especially in scalp psoriasis. An oatmeal bath or Epsom salts can soothe irritated skin. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can help reduce inflammation.
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Are There Complications Of Psoriasis
In some people, psoriasis causes more than itchiness and red skin. It can lead to swollen joints and arthritis. If you have psoriasis, you may be at higher risk of:
- Use medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp.
Other steps you should take to stay as healthy as possible:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, such as heart disease, depression and diabetes.
- Lower your stress with meditation, exercise or seeing a mental health professional.
What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes different symptoms in different people. Symptoms normally develop before age 45.
The most common symptoms are dry, raised, red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. The patches usually appear on the knees, elbow, lower back and scalp, but they can appear anywhere on the body.
Psoriasis can also cause dents and discolouration of the nails.
Some people get small, drop-shaped sores on the chest, arms, legs or scalp. Some people get swollen, painful joints.
The symptoms of some rare types of psoriasis include pus-filled blisters or a red, peeling rash that itches or burns intensely.
Cross section illustration of psoriasis
Close-up of psoriasis on skin
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Causes And Risk Factors Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis, in general, is a genetic condition passed down through families. “It’s likely that multiple genes need to be affected to allow psoriasis to occur and that it’s frequently triggered by an external event, such as an infection,” says James W. Swan, MD, professor of dermatology at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois.
Certain risk factors, such as a family history or being obese, may increase your odds of developing psoriasis.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , at least 10 percent of people inherit genes that could lead to psoriasis, but only 3 percent or less actually develop the disease. For this reason, it is believed that the disease is caused by a combination of genetics and external factors or triggers.
A psoriasis outbreak may be provoked by:
What Causes Psoriasis Outbreaks
Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. No one knows exactly what causes flare-ups. Common psoriasis triggers may include:
- Skin injury .
- Streptococcal or other infection that affects the immune system.
- Certain prescription medications .
- Cold weather, when people have less exposure to sunlight and humidity and more to hot, dry indoor air.
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Talk To Your Doctor About Your Treatment Plan
If youâre 65 or older, you may need to adjust the types of medications you use. Some issues to consider:
Topical treatments can cause new side effects as you get older. Though topical psoriasis treatments like corticosteroids and topical vitamin D are usually considered safe for older adults, they may cause new issues. Tell your doctor if you notice purple spots on your skin, if your skin looks transparent, or if you notice signs of infection such as redness or areas that are inflamed or warm to the touch.
Topicals may be harder to apply as you age. You should also let your doctor know if you have joint swelling or flexibility issues that make it hard to apply topical medications to your psoriasis plaques.
Some oral or injected medications may be harder for your body to process. Your kidneys donât work as well as you age. That means they remove less waste from your body. Because of that, medications that work throughout your body, like methotrexate, can build up in your system and cause problems. If youâre taking these medications, your doctor will need to monitor you closely. They may recommend another treatment or ask you to work with a kidney specialist to make sure youâre staying safe.
What Is Psoriasis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes plaques, which are itchy or sore patches of thick, dry, discolored skin.
While any part of your body can be affected, psoriasis plaques most often develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet.
Like other autoinflammatory diseases, psoriasis occurs when your immune system which normally attacks infectious germs begins to attack healthy cells instead.
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What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Other, less common types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
- Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
- Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
What Type Of Psoriasis Treatment Will I Need
Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis. Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of skin. If the rash affects larger areas, or you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.
Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:
- Severity of the rash.
- Vitamin A or retinoid creams.
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What Every Senior Should Know About Psoriasis
Aug 2, 2018 | Health & Wellness, Senior Safety |
Psoriasis, a condition that causes the body to make new skin cells in days rather than weeks, causes thick, scaly patches that often appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, scalp, nails, and joints.
Symptoms tend to worsen with age, and psoriasis can be linked to other conditions that affect seniors, including type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and heart disease. Though not contagious, senior psoriasis is one of the more serious of skin diseases. It often progresses into a chronic condition, and theres no known cure.
Take A Whole Health Approach
When you think about psoriasis and your health, you might focus only on your skin. But you need to take a broader look at your health as you age. Psoriasis can make you more likely to get some kinds of cancer, such as lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. It also can raise your risk of low bone density conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. And the same is true for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome .
About 30% of people who have psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis. Thatâs a condition that causes stiff and swollen joints and other issues like fatigue. Psoriatic arthritis often gets worse over time, especially if itâs not treated.
âIf you have psoriasis, itâs especially important to work closely with all your doctors,â says Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
If a dermatologist or rheumatologist treats your psoriasis, make sure your primary care physician or family doctor knows what kinds of psoriasis treatments youâre getting and have gotten in the past. Some psoriasis medications may make you more likely to have health problems like infections or cancer. So your doctor may want to keep a closer watch on you. And some medications used to treat arthritis, heart disease, and other conditions may make psoriasis worse.
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What Are The Complications Of Psoriasis
People with severe psoriasis have an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, obesity, some types of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other immuneârelated disorders, and liver and kidney disease.
The condition can affect the nails and joints, and can seriously affect someone’s emotional and social wellbeing. It may affect their ability to work, go to school or participate in physical activities.
Different Varieties Of Psoriasis
Much less widespread types of psoriasis in kids end in different pores and skin signs. They embrace:
- pustular psoriasis, which causes pus-filled bumps
- inverse psoriasis,which causes clean, discolored patches in folds of pores and skin
- nail psoriasis, which causes the kids nails to grow to be unusually thick, ridged, and pitted
- erythrodermic psoriasis, a rarer and really critical type of the situation that causes pores and skin irritation throughout many of the physique
Some kids with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. This associated situation causes joint ache, swelling, and stiffness.
Guttate psoriasis could clear when an underlying an infection is handled and by no means come again. Serviette psoriasis in infants doesnt appear to be prone to result in different types of psoriasis later in life.
Plaque psoriasis is a lifelong situation. Your youngster receivedt outgrow it, however remedy may help restrict their signs.
Your youngsters signs could come and go over time. Signs could worsen in periods referred to as flares and higher in periods referred to as remissions.
Sure triggers could cause a flare and make your youngsters psoriasis signs worse. Widespread psoriasis triggers embrace:
- stress
Your physician could suggest life-style tricks to handle psoriasis, equivalent to:
- utilizing a lotion or cream to maintain your youngsters pores and skin moisturized
- bathing in lukewarm water
- utilizing gentle soaps or cleansers
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Does Aging Skin Affect Psoriasis
As the skin ages, collagen and elastic fibers weaken and the skin gets thinner. This makes it sensitive to trauma, leading to easier bruising and even open sores in severe cases.
This is a challenge for anyone, but it can be even more challenging if you have psoriasis. Psoriasis plaques that occur on weakened skin can lead to pain and bleeding.
If you have psoriasis, its important to protect yourself from the sun because UV exposure is known to cause skin damage. You also must be careful when using topical steroid creams to treat psoriasis. Overuse of steroids is associated with skin thinning and development of stretch marks, especially with long-term use over years.
What If Those Psoriasis Treatments Dont Work
If psoriasis doesnt improve, your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:
- Light therapy: UV light at specific wavelengths can decrease skin inflammation and help slow skin cell production.
- PUVA: This treatment combines a medication called psoralen with exposure to a special form of UV light.
- Methotrexate: Providers sometimes recommend this medication for severe cases. It may cause liver disease. If you take it, your provider will monitor you with blood tests. You may need periodic liver biopsies to check your liver health.
- Retinoids: These vitamin A-related drugs can cause side effects, including birth defects.
- Cyclosporine: This medicine can help severe psoriasis. But it may cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.
- Immune therapies: Newer immune therapy medications work by blocking the bodys immune system so it cant jumpstart an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis.
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What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
If you have psoriasis, ask your healthcare provider:
- How can I prevent outbreaks and control symptoms?
- What medication will work best for me?
- What else should I do to improve symptoms?
- What are my options if creams dont work?
- Will psoriasis ever go away?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Psoriasis, an itchy skin condition, can come and go throughout your life. Its related to an overactive immune response and is not contagious. If you have skin changes that arent going away, talk to your healthcare provider. There is no cure for psoriasis, but psoriasis treatments can improve symptoms. Your provider may prescribe a special cream or moisturizer or medications. Other therapies are available if creams or medicines dont work. Maintaining your overall health will also help improve symptoms.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/17/2020.
References
What Are The Clinical Features Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis usually presents with symmetrically distributed, red, scaly plaques with well-defined edges. The scale is typically silvery white, except in skin folds where the plaques often appear shiny with a moist peeling surface. The most common sites are scalp, elbows, and knees, but any part of the skin can be involved. The plaques are usually very persistent without treatment.
Itch is mostly mild but may be severe in some patients, leading to scratching and lichenification characterised by thickened leathery skin and increased skin markings. Painful skin cracks or fissures may occur.
When psoriatic plaques clear up, they may leave brown or pale marks that can be expected to fade over several months.
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Research And Statistics: Who Has Psoriasis
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis. Most are white, but the skin disease also affects Black, Latino, and Asian Americans as well as Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The disease occurs about equally among men and women. According to the National Institutes of Health , it is more common in adults, and you are at a greater risk if someone in your family has it. A study published in September 2016 in the journal PLoS One concluded that interactions between particular genes as well as genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the diseases development.
People with psoriasis generally see their first symptoms between ages 15 and 30, although developing the disease between 50 and 60 years of age is also common.
The biggest factor for determining prognosis is the amount of disease someone has, says Michael P. Heffernan, MD, a dermatologist at the San Luis Dermatology and Laser Clinic in San Luis Obispo, California.
Will My Psoriasis Ever Go Away
For the majority of people, psoriasis doesnt go away on its own. Its caused by a combination of genetics and the environment.
In genetically predisposed people, an environmental factor acts as a trigger to unmask psoriasis. In rare cases, behavioral modification like weight loss or smoking cessation may be associated with improvements or complete clearing.
If your psoriasis is caused by a medication, then stopping that medication may improve your psoriasis. Certain high blood pressure and depression medications are strongly associated with triggering psoriasis. Speak to your doctor about any medications youre taking and whether they may contributing to your psoriasis.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, is the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He actively lectures to international audiences and is involved in daily teaching to residents and medical students. His expert opinion is commonly called on by the media, and hes regularly quoted in national newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times, Allure, Womens Health, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and more. Dr. Zeichner has been consistently voted by his peers to the Castle Connolly list of New York Citys best doctors.
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How Will Menopause Affect My Ability To Manage My Psoriasis How Should I Prepare
During menopause, hormone levels shift, resulting in lower levels of estrogen. We know that low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women is associated with dry skin, decreased collagen production with thinning of the skin, and loss of elasticity.
Theres no definitive data that menopause has a direct effect on psoriasis. But limited data suggests low estrogen levels may be associated with worsening of psoriasis.
Psoriasis may be harder to treat in people with weakened skin, so its important to do what you can to keep your skin healthy before menopause begins. Wearing sunscreen and practicing sun-protective behavior are the absolute most important things you can do to protect your skin when you are young.