How Can Psoriasis Be Treated
Treatment of psoriasis depends upon your individual circumstances. Treatment applied to the surface of your skin is sufficient alone in most patients. For people with more extensive or difficult to treat psoriasis, ultraviolet light treatment , tablet treatment or injection treatment may be required.
Is It Time To Evaluate Your Psoriasis Treatment
If you are treating psoriasis and have celebrated your 65th birthday, dermatologists recommend that you get evaluated. A careful evaluation will make sure that you are using an appropriate treatment at a dose thats right for you.
Having an evaluation also helps prevent possible side effects and interactions with other medications that you take.
If you need to find a board-certified dermatologist, you can search for one in your area at: Find a dermatologist
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ReferencesGrozdev IS, Van Voorhees AS, et al. Psoriasis in the elderly: From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 65:537-45.
Hodak E, Gottlieb AB, et al. Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea is a remittive therapy for psoriasis: Combined effects on epidermal and immunologic activation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003 49:451-7.
Kushelevsky AP, Harari M, et al. Climatotherapy of psoriasis and hypertension in elderly patients at the Dead-Sea. Pharmacol Res. 1996 34:87-91.
Papp K, Reich K, et al. Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Results of a phase III, randomized, controlled trial . J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 73:37-49.
Rich, P, Gooderham M, et al. Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in patients with difficult-to-treat nail and scalp psoriasis: Results of 2 phase III randomized, controlled trials . J Am Acad Dermatol2016 74:134-42.
How To Find Best Psoriasis Treatment
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for psoriasis. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and may include topical medications, oral medications, light therapy or a combination of treatments. It is important to work with a Homeopathic specialist as well as a qualified medical professional who specializes in the treatment of psoriasis to create a personalized treatment plan with a custom Welling Homeopathy formula for psoriasis.
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Psoriasis Medication That Works Throughout The Body
If you are 65 or older and need to take medication that works throughout your body to treat psoriasis, it is important to get guidance from a doctor who is experienced in treating psoriasis, such as a board-certified dermatologist. With age, our kidneys tend to remove less waste from our bodies. Medication can build up.
Under appropriate guidance, board-certified dermatologists believe that the following medications can be safe in someone who is 65 years of age or older:
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Some biologics, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab
Cyclosporine, which is approved to treat psoriasis, should be used with great caution in people 65 years of age and older. Dermatologists warn that it should be considered only when other psoriasis treatment fails to work.
If cyclosporine is prescribed, it is recommended that a kidney doctor or primary care doctor who has experience monitoring kidneys be part of your medical team.
Is medication that works throughout the body right for you?
If you need strong medication to manage your psoriasis, ask yourself these questions:
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Will I remember to take the medication as prescribed?
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Can I afford the medication?
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Can I return to my dermatologists office for follow-up appointments, as needed?
What Are Office Treatments For Scalp Psoriasis
Rarely, it may be of benefit to inject triamcinolone acetonide directly into psoriatic plaques. Aside from the pain involved, the benefit only lasts about six weeks at best. Ultraviolet light in wavelengths near 313 nm is effective in psoriasis. The hair, however, can pose a barrier to effective administration unless it is removed or sparse. The excimer laser produces out laser light in these UV wavelengths also and can be of benefit if the amount of scalp involvement is limited.
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Key Points About Psoriasis
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition. It causes inflamed, red, raised areas of skin that often develop dry, silvery scales called plaques.
- Psoriasis is not contagious. It is an autoimmune skin disease.
- Psoriasis is a long-term disease. You will have flare-ups that come and go over time.
- There is no cure, but treatments can help relieve symptoms. Treatment can include creams, light therapy , and oral or injected medicine.
- Psoriasis is a chronic condition. But you can manage it by working with your healthcare provider to create a long-term treatment plan and self-care routine that includes attention to both physical and emotional needs.
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.
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Pediatric Treatments For Psoriasis
Many of the same medicines used to treat adults may be used in children, including topical therapy, , and conventional systemic medications such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, and acitretin, as well as the newer biologic drugs, according to Cordoro.
The treatment approach with children varies depending on several factors including age, type and severity of psoriasis, whether it’s the initial episode or a recurrence, body sites affected, health history, current and prior treatments, patient and family preference, and cost of and access to medicines.
Often children with mild or moderate psoriasis are treated conservatively with creams and phototherapy, says Cordoro, but children with more severe disease also may receive other types of therapy systemics and biologics which have been shown to be safe and effective.
Matthew Lewis, MD, MPH, a dermatologist with Stanford Health Care and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University in California, stresses that therapy early on may help prevent other health issues later in life.
We know psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease, he says. That inflammation over time may damage blood vessels and other organs, possibly raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. So controlling that inflammation is really important.
Staying Healthy As You Age
A few steps can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis, depression, and heart disease as you age. First and foremost, maintain a healthy diet. That means focusing on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean meat and dairy, while limiting processed foods, sodium, and added sugar. The National Institute on Aging recommends consuming 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium every day, depending on your age and sex, to build bone strength. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to see whats right for you.
Exercise also helps keep your bones and heart strong, reducing the risk of both osteoporosis and heart disease. Staying active additionally reduces the risk of depression, especially if you choose an activity that involves a lot of socializing, such as tennis or a swim class. As a bonus, exercise reduces the risk of dementia and supports cognitive function with age, including memory, comprehension, and problem-solving skills.
Lastly, be sure to discuss not just your skin but also your whole physical and mental health with your dermatologist. Let your doctor know if youre struggling to maintain a healthy diet, stay active, or quit smoking. A lot of people dont realize theyre at risk and may have gone many years without seeing a general practitioner, says Unwala. We feel that one of our roles is to make those connections for people.
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How Psoriasis Affects The Youngest Patients
Pediatric cases appear to be increasing worldwide for a variety of reasons.
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Psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease, doesn’t just affect adults.
People usually see their first psoriasis symptoms between ages 15 and 30. About one-third of patients are younger than 20, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation . While it’s less common, younger children can get psoriasis as well. The NPF estimates that about 20,000 youngsters under age 10 are diagnosed with the condition each year.
The numbers may be even higher, according to Kelly Cordoro, MD, a professor of dermatology and pediatrics and the division chief of pediatric dermatology at the University of California in San Francisco. Thats because some patients with mild disease may not seek care or may be misdiagnosed. There may also be racial and other disparities in prevalence and access to care.
We have seen a rise in recorded cases of pediatric psoriasis over the last few decades, which may result from increases in trigger factors such as stress, infection, and obesity, as well as increased awareness and recognition of the condition by physicians and the public, says Dr. Cordoro.
How To Manage Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic condition. But you can manage it by working with your healthcare provider to create a long-term treatment plan and self-care routine.
Symptoms may come and go. Some factors can affect how often symptoms occur, how severe they are, and how long they last. These factors include:
- Stress
- Drinking alcohol
Follow these steps to help manage your symptoms:
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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.
Is Psoriasis The Same As Eczema
Psoriasis and eczema are two different skin conditions. They differ in where the disease appears on the body, how much it itches and how it looks. Eczema tends to appear more often behind the knees and inside the elbows. Eczema also causes more intense itching than psoriasis. Many people, especially children, can get both eczema and psoriasis.
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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.
Can I Get Psoriasis On My Face
When you have psoriasis, your immune system also makes your skin cells grow faster than normal. This can lead to thick, itchy,
After all, the only safe tan is one that comes from a bottle, so you can keep your skin healthy while going for the bronze.
“Patients develop itchy, red skin, often in areas where skin touches skin, such as in the bends of the arms or knees,” Dr. Miller says. It’s.
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the intense dry patches caused by their psoriasis. “I use this for my.
You usually get the patches on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body.
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skin could be the onset of a disease known as psoriasis.
CBD is derived from hemp, a cousin of the marijuana plant, but unlike THC , the active component in marijuana, CBD doesnt get you high. “People are using these.
Facial swelling in dogs can have dozens of causes, from dog bites to dental problems. The swelling can be a fairly benign reaction or it can require emergency care. To help keep your pet pain-free and healthy, it helps to know the signs of facial swelling, and.
“It has been hard, because this flare-up has affected my face mainly.
they can appear anywhere on your body and in some cases can be itchy and sore. Psoriasis affects around 2% of people.
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Psoriasis Beyond The Basics
There are many different types of psoriasis, including chronic plaque psoriasis, types of pustular psoriasis , guttate psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, flexural psoriasis, napkin psoriasis, nail psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis .
For those that have psoriasis around 1 in 4 may develop an associated psoriatic arthritis , which is about 325,000 people, or around 0.5% of the UK population. PsA causes pain and swelling in the joints and tendons, accompanied by stiffness particularly in the mornings. The most commonly affected sites are the hands, feet, lower back, neck and knees, with movement in these areas becoming severely limited.
Not all people will be affected in the same way and doctors will class the condition as mild, moderate or severe.
Remember, although psoriasis is a chronic condition, it can be controlled and go into remission .
Who Will Be Responsible For My Healthcare
Youre likely to see a team of healthcare professionals.
Your doctor, usually a rheumatologist, will be responsible for your overall care. And a specialist nurse may help monitor your condition and treatments. A skin specialist called a dermatologist may be responsible for the treatment of your psoriasis.
You may also see:
- a physiotherapist, who can advise on exercises to help maintain your mobility
- an occupational therapist, who can help you protect your joints, for example, by using splints for the wrist or knee braces. You may be advised to change the way you do some tasks to reduce the strain on your joints.
- a podiatrist, who can assess your footcare needs and offer advice on special insoles and good supportive footwear.
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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.
Steroid Creams Or Ointments
Steroid creams or ointments are commonly used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis in most areas of the body. The treatment works by reducing inflammation. This slows the production of skin cells and reduces itching.
Topical corticosteroids range in strength from mild to very strong. Only use topical corticosteroids when recommended by your doctor. Stronger topical corticosteroids can be prescribed by your doctor and should only be used on small areas of skin or on particularly thick patches. Overusing topical corticosteroids can lead to skin thinning.
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Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A
For this treatment, you’ll first be given a tablet containing compounds called psoralens, or psoralen may be applied directly to the skin. This makes your skin more sensitive to light. Your skin is then exposed to a wavelength of light called ultraviolet A . This light penetrates your skin more deeply than ultraviolet B light.
This treatment may be used if you have severe psoriasis that hasn’t responded to other treatment. Side effects of the treatment include nausea, headaches, burning and itchiness. You may need to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking the tablet to prevent the development of cataracts. Long-term use of this treatment isn’t encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Does Having Psoriasis Raise The Risk Of Other Diseases As You Age
While psoriasis affects the skin, we now know that its actually a systemic disease. In psoriasis, inflammation exists throughout the body, but its only externally visible in the skin.
Especially in more severe cases, psoriasis is associated with metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and depression. Metabolic syndrome includes insulin resistance and diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. It increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
The same type of inflammation that affects the skin may affect the joints, leading to psoriatic arthritis. It can even affect the brain, leading to symptoms of depression.
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Why Does My Child Have Psoriasis
The heredity factor seems to play a part. About one third of people with psoriasis are able to identify a relative, living or dead, with psoriasis. It is estimated that if 1 parent has psoriasis that there is a 15% chance that a child will develop the condition. If both parents have psoriasis this increases to about 75%. Interestingly, if a child develops psoriasis and neither parent is affected there is a 20% chance that a brother or sister will also get psoriasis. This is because the condition is known to skip generations but somewhere there will be a familial link to a relative via either or both parents.
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