How Can I Treat My Psoriasis

Can Psoriasis Cause Rashes Around The Anus

Inverse psoriasis generally causes lesions of smooth, shiny skin in the areas where the skin folds. It can cause red or purple itchy patches on the anus and the crease between the buttocks.

Skin plaques in these two areas can cause rectal bleeding and difficulty with passing stools. Fortunately, clear skin with inverse psoriasis is possible with appropriate treatment.

Psoriasis Creams And Shampoos

Topical treatments are creams or ointments that you apply directly to the skin. If you have mild psoriasis, a topical treatment may be all you need. For moderate to severe psoriasis, topical treatments can be used in combination with other medications .

There are some remedies you can try at home for mild psoriasis or in combination with prescription medicines. Below are some examples:

• Moisturizers relieve dry, itchy, red skin and can be helpful for everyone with psoriasis.

• is a low-dose, over-the-counter steroid that decreases itching and inflammation. Its great for very mild psoriasis affecting a small area.

• Products with salicylic acid can soften and remove the scale seen in plaque psoriasis.

• Coal tar-containing products relieve symptoms and slow the rapid growth of skin cells.

• Products with calamine, camphor, or menthol can help itching.

Topical psoriasis treatments that require a prescription include:

• Corticosteroids: These medications reduce inflammation, redness, and itching. There are many topical steroids, but two common ones are and .

• Vitamin D analogues : These decrease skin growth, which helps control psoriasis. They may be used in combination with steroids. Examples are and .

• Calcineurin inhibitors : These medications are used for sensitive areas like the face. They include and . Both of these medications are considered off label for psoriasis treatment.

• Keratolytics: These decrease skin growth and break down thick plaques. Examples are and .

What You Need To Know

As mentioned, inflammatory immune-mediated diseases, like psoriasis, increase your risk for other health complications. Being overweight further compounds your risk for diabetes and heart disease.

To minimize your risk of these related diseases, itâs important to maintain a healthy weight.

To help identify what is a healthy weight for you, calculate your body mass index . You can use this calculator from the Centers for Disease Control.

To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. People who lose weight slowly, about 1 to 2 pounds per week, are more successful at keeping the weight off. You also will burn additional calories if you increase your physical activity.

Your weight loss plan should:

• Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
• Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
• Contain foods low in saturated fats, avoid trans fats, limit cholesterol and salt
• Avoid refined sugars and processed foods.

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How Long Do I Have To Wait Before My Skin Starts To Improve

In general, you should see a dramatic improvement after youâve been on a treatment for six months. According to the targets, you should expect to see at least 75 percent improvement after three months. By the time six months have passed, you should expect to have clear or almost clear skin. If not, talk to your health care provider about your treatment options.

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Treatment Of Psoriasis: An Algorithm

ASHA G. PARDASANI, M.D., STEVEN R. FELDMAN, M.D., PH.D., and ADELE R. CLARK, P.A.-C., Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Am Fam Physician. 2000 Feb 1 61:725-733.

See related patient information handout on psoriasis, written by the authors of this article.

• References

Psoriasis is characterized by red, thickened plaques with a silvery scale. The lesions vary in size and degree of inflammation. Psoriasis is categorized as localized or generalized, based on the severity of the disease and its overall impact on the patient’s quality of life and well-being. Patient education about the disease and the treatment options is important. Medical treatment for localized psoriasis begins with a combination of topical corticosteroids and coal tar or calcipotriene. For lesions that are difficult to control with initial therapy, anthralin or tazarotene may be tried. The primary goal of therapy is to maintain control of the lesions. Cure is seldom achieved. If control becomes difficult or if psoriasis is generalized, the patient may benefit from phototherapy, systemic therapy and referral to a physician who specializes in the treatment of psoriasis.

How A Dermatologist Can Help

With so many products, it can be difficult to know what to use. If you dont see the results you like with OTC treatment for psoriasis, you may want to see dermatologist. Dermatologists are the skin disease experts. They know how to tailor psoriasis treatment to the type of psoriasis you have. Sometimes, this requires combining treatments. You may also need one treatment plan to gain control over your psoriasis and another to maintain the results.

ImagesGetty Images

ReferencesMenter A, Korman NJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3: Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 60:64359.

Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA. Coal tar: Back to the future. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Aug 61:294-302.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

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Find A Friend Who Shares Your Goals

Its always nice to spend time with friends, but having a workout buddy is about more than companionship. Exercising with a friend is a great way to keep you motivated to stay on track. Youll be less likely to skip a walk or run in the park if youre meeting someone. Plus, exercising with a buddy can be fun! If you can find someone who has a similar fitness level, you can even set goals together.

Speak With Your Insurance Provider

Confirm that your insurance company covers the cost of a virtual appointment.

Gather any information that your doctors office may need, including the name of your carrier and policy number. Ask if the office requires that you produce any personal identification prior to or during your online dermatology visit.

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Treatment: Where To Start

The most common treatments for mild cases are medications that you put directly on your scalp. If you have a more severe case or have psoriasis elsewhere on your body, you may need a medication that treats your whole body. You can take these medications by mouth or injection.

If your psoriasis doesn’t respond well after repeated use of one medication, your doctor may replace or combine it with another type of treatment.

One of the first steps is to soften and remove scales. This makes it easier for medications to do their job.

• Apply over-the-counter products to your scalp to help soften scales and make them easier to peel off. Look for products with the active ingredients salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulfide.
• Gently loosen the scales with a brush or fine-toothed comb.
• Shampoo your scalp to remove the scales, using a salicylic acid shampoo or soap.
• Apply thick creams to your scalp while it’s still damp to hold in the moisture.

To apply medication:

Ways To Treat Psoriasis Naturally

Guest writer for Wake Up World

Psoriasis is a common, chronic relapsing/remitting immune-mediated skin condition believed to be caused by an overload of toxicity through diet, some medications or our environment. It is characterized by red or white scaly patches and plaques, which usually itch. The condition affects up to five percent of the general population.

The causes of psoriasis are not fully understood, but a build up of toxins is known to be strongly correlated with most cases, especially for plaque psoriasis which is the most common type.

Not only are psoriasis flare-ups aggravating, but they make many people with the condition so self-conscious about their appearance that theyre reluctant to go out in public without ample covering. Probably most frustrating of all is that theres no magic formula to cure the condition indefinitely. You have to learn how to deal with flare-ups as they come, and take good care of yourself and your skin.

The good news is that is can be reversed through many different natural remedies, most of which should resolve the symptoms before ever requiring medication. Here are 12 effective natural remedies most found in your kitchen to help treat psoriasis discomfort, plus some simple everyday changes you can make to help prevent outbreaks.

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What Is Gluten Free

With gluten-free diets getting more and more attention these days, you may wonder if going gluten-free would help reduce your psoriasis symptoms.

The jury is still out on eliminating gluten â a complex protein found in wheat, barley and rye. In a small number of cases, eliminating gluten can lead to improvements. However, following a gluten-free diet, which is very restrictive, is a major commitment. Itâs not a step you should take unnecessarily.

You should discuss dietary modifications, such as following a gluten-free diet, with your health care provider prior to making any diet adjustments.

My Health Care Provider And I Agreed On A Treatment But Im Having Trouble Getting It What Should I Do

NPFâs Patient Navigation Center is here to help! Our patient navigators can help you get the treatment you and your health care provider have decided upon. From learning how to apply for prescription assistance to appealing insurance denials, contacting the Patient Navigation Center is the first step toward better treatment access.

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How Many People Have Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a fairly common skin condition and is estimated to affect approximately 1%-3% of the U.S. population. It currently affects roughly 7.5 million to 8.5 million people in the U.S. It is seen worldwide in about 125 million people. Interestingly, African Americans have about half the rate of psoriasis as Caucasians.

How To Be Intimate When You Have Genital Psoriasis

If you have genital psoriasis, you can still be intimate. Following this advice can help reduce irritation:

• When the skin on or around your genitals is raw, postpone sex.

• Before sex, gently cleanse the area. Be sure to use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Cleansing will also help prevent psoriasis medication from rubbing onto your partner.

• Men: Use a lubricated condom. Whether a man or woman has genital psoriasis, this lessens the risk of irritating the inflamed area.

• After sex, gently wash the area. This helps reduce irritation. If you are using medicine, apply it.

Psoriasis is not contagious

If you have sex with someone who has psoriasis, you will not get psoriasis. Psoriasis is not contagious. Its not a sexually transmitted disease.

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ReferencesBergstrom, KG, Kimball AB. 100 questions & answers about psoriasis. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.

Meeuwis KA, de Hullu JA, et al. Genital psoriasis awareness program: Physical and psychological care for patients with genital psoriasis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Feb 95:211-6.

Ryan C, Sadlier M, et al. Genital psoriasis is associated with significant impairment in quality of life and sexual functioning. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Jun 72:978-83.

Turner J. Inverse psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation webinar, presented September 16, 2015.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

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Permanent Cure For Psoriasis In Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an Indian ancient medical practice that is developed to cure health problems. Many researchers have found that ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis is proven very effective. In India, Ayurvedic medicine and process are originated 3000 years back.

In Ayurveda, Psoriasis occurs due to two doshas- Vata and Kapha. Before using ayurvedic medicine you need to make some dietary changes. Ayurvedic medicine is more effective when you avoid non-vegetarian food. You should also avoid food that is spicy, salty, or acidic.

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Scalp Psoriasis Vs Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a term used to describe various types of skin inflammation. This includes contact dermatitis as well as seborrheic dermatitis .

Like psoriasis, dermatitis can also affect the scalp. While some of the treatments for these conditions may overlap, the conditions themselves have different causes.

Scalp psoriasis is likely caused by immune dysfunction. Dermatitis is caused by various skin irritants, such as allergens.

With scalp psoriasis, youll notice silvery-red scales that may extend beyond the hairline. Theyll cause itching, flaking, and redness. In dermatitis, scales are white or yellowish and accompanied by dandruff.

A doctor can usually tell the difference between scalp psoriasis and dermatitis by taking a look at the affected area. In other cases, it might be trickier to tell the difference.

They might perform a skin scrape or take a biopsy. An overgrowth of skin cells will be present in cases of scalp psoriasis. In dermatitis cases, there will be irritated skin and sometimes bacteria or fungi.

Dermatitis can cause dandruff. Scalp psoriasis and dandruff share many of the same symptoms, such as:

• white or yellow skin flakes on the scalp
• mild redness

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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed And Treated

Psoriasis often has a typical appearance that a primary care doctor can recognize, but it can be confused with other skin diseases , so a dermatologist is often the best doctor to diagnose it. The treatment of psoriasis usually depends on how much skin is affected, how bad the disease is , or the location . Treatments range from creams and ointments applied to the affected areas to ultraviolet light therapy to drugs . Many people who have psoriasis also have serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Some people with psoriasis also have an inflammatory condition which affects their joints, called psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis has many of the same symptoms as other types of arthritis, so a rheumatologist is often the best doctor to diagnose it. The treatment of psoriatic arthritis usually involves the use of drugs .

Psoriatic disease may be treated with drugs or a combination of drugs and creams or ointments.

Diet And Psoriasis: What’s The Connection

Can your diet help keep psoriasis under control? Maybe. An observational study published online July 25, 2018, by JAMA Dermatology found that people with psoriasis who followed a Mediterranean diet an eating pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, fruit, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil experienced fewer severe flare-ups. This was only an association and more research is needed, but experts believe the Mediterranean diet contains many foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and may offer extra protection against psoriasis triggers.

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Treatments To Stop Psoriasis From Spreading

If you donât want your small skin patch to become larger, and you donât want more psoriasis patches to show up on your body, then you should start on a psoriasis treatment plan. This may include:

Topical steroids. Also known as corticosteroids, these are some of the most common medications for mild to moderate psoriasis. Topical means you apply the medication to your skin. Topical steroids are available as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, foam, spray, solution, or shampoo.

Other topical therapies. Steroids arenât the only topical medications that can get your psoriasis patches under control. Others include:

• Coal tar and anthralin

Light therapy. When you expose your psoriasis patches to certain types of light, they may shrink, fade, or go away. Light therapy is a first-line treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis.

Steroid shots. Doctors can treat stubborn psoriasis patches with a steroid shot directly into the inflamed skin.

Pills. There are a few types of pills that can lower your bodyâs production of skin cells:

• Methotrexate , which stops cell growth
• , a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that blocks cells that cause inflammation
• Acitretin , a retinoid, which may stop cells from growing as fast
• Cyclosporine, which suppresses your immune system

Youâll need to tell your doctor about any plans to become pregnant or breastfeed before you start these.

Vitamins And Psoriatic Disease

There is no direct link between vitamins and dietary supplements and psoriatic disease. However, many with psoriatic disease find that including vitamins and supplements in their diet helps their skin clear and may ease joint pain.

Dietary supplements can be extracts or concentrates, and they can occur in many forms, such as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, liquids or powders.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness. This can also lead to an inconsistency when it comes to active ingredients. Itâs important that you talk to your doctor before adding any vitamins or supplements to your treatment plan, as some may interfere with your medications.

Here are some of the more popular vitamins and supplements used to combat psoriatic disease.

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