Can I Still Have Sex If I Have Vaginal Psoriasis
Yes. You can still have sex even if you have vaginal psoriasis. However, it is wise for you to have a discussion with your partner and let them know that the rash is merely an autoimmune response that is not contagious. If you are using any topical medication on the area, it might be crucial that you exercise some caution in the timing of sexual activity and when you applied the topical treatment. For instance, you can apply it in the morning, so that by evening it will have absorbed and will not be an issue for your partner.There might be times that you may wish to avoid sex, especially during a psoriasis flare-up as it may cause discomfort or pain in the area. Also, consider using a mild lubricant to help alleviate the discomfort.
Systemic Treatments And Uv Light
If you have moderate to severe psoriasis elsewhere on your body, one of these medications may help:
- Methotrexateslows an enzyme involved in the rapid growth of skin cells.
- Oral retinoids help control the growth of cells.
- Cyclosporinelowers the immune system function, and therefore helps to reduce the inflammation of psoriasis.
- Biologics target specific parts of the immune system that are overactive in psoriasis.
Talk with your doctor about the potential side effects of these treatments.
Ultraviolet light is another treatment option. Hair can block the light from reaching your scalp, so if you have thick hair, it may help to part it in rows. Hand-held devices can directly deliver light to your scalp.
Topical Coal Tar: An Old Stand
Coal tar is one of the oldest known treatments for psoriasis. These products are effective in treating mild to moderate psoriasis with few side effects, but can be messy with a pungent odor, and leave stains on clothes and other fabrics.
The exact way that coal tar treats psoriasis is not known. However, it does increase the skin’s absorption of UVB light for an added effect.
Coal tar can be found over-the-counter in shampoos, creams and lotions and can be used in combination with corticosteroids and emollients to soften the skin.
It is also used with ultraviolet-B light in a treatment known as Goeckerman treatment.
- Goeckerman treatment is a course of UV light therapy combined with coal tar for more moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
- It is messy and smelly, but can be effective however, not many doctors offer this treatment The regimen is usually given daily over several weeks at a time.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How long does treatment last?
- Will I have to be on medicine for the rest of my life?
- Should I make any changes to my skin care routine?
- Are there any skin products or foods that I should avoid?
- If symptoms get worse, when should I call the doctor?
- If I have psoriasis, will my children get it?
- Is there a support group that you recommend?
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 them 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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Forget Heels And Dress Shoes If You Have Plantar Psoriasis
Men, feel free to keep your footwear, so long as its still comfortable for you. Ladies, I know you dont want to hear this, but binding shoes and high heels may be making your plantar psoriasis worse. Skin irritation encourages plaques.
If you cant get permission to wear sneakers during a flare, consider keeping a pair of cozy slippers under your desk to wear while you are seated.
Types Of Psoriasis Continued
Examples of other types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse Psoriasis:: This psoriasis may affect skin fold areas such as the genital area, under the breast or arms, or around the groin area. The lesions are flat, red, and often without scales.
- Nail Psoriasis: Nails may become yellow-brown, pitted, flake away or detach from the nail bed.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: May occur in up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis symptoms include swelling of the knees, ankles, hands and toe joints pain and may be accompanied by nail psoriasis.
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Nail Infection Needs Treatment Too
A nail infection can develop if you have nail psoriasis. Because a nail infection can look a lot like nail psoriasis, its important to find out if you have an infection. Testing, which usually consists of scraping the nail, can find an infection. If you have a nail infection, treatment can get rid of it.
What Treatment Is Available For Genital Psoriasis
A treatment plan may include:
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Mild corticosteroid
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Medium-strength or potent corticosteroid
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Mild coal tar
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Calcipotriene cream
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Pimecrolimus cream or tacrolimus ointment
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Stronger medicine such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, or a biologic
If you follow the treatment plan and it fails to work, tell your dermatologist. No one treatment works for everyone. You may need different treatment to get relief.
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Regions That Might Be Affected By Female Genital Psoriasis
Pubis
This is the area above your genitals. Psoriasis in this part can be treated the same way as scalp psoriasis. However, caution should be undertaken since the skin is more sensitive than the skin on your scalp.
Upper thigh
Psoriasis in this region usually consists of multiple small, dark red and scaly round patches of rushes. This psoriasis can easily be irritated, especially when the thighs rub against each other.
Anus
Psoriasis on or near the anus usually looks red, non-scaly and inclined to itchiness. Most of the time, it is confused with infections, ringworm infestation, haemorrhoids itching or yeast.Buttocks crease genital psoriasis may appear between the creases in your buttocks. This psoriasis is synonymous with thick scales or red and non-scaly plaques.
Folds between the thigh and the groin
This form of psoriasis looks reddish-white and non-scaly. The skin may also have cracks.
What Does Psoriasis Look Like
The skin changes of psoriasis are well defined and slightly raised pink or red areas with silvery-white scales. Many people have just a few plaques but some individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis may have several plaques covering large areas of their body.
Several patterns of psoriasis are recognised:
- Chronic plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. Plaques of psoriasis are usually present on the knees, elbows, trunk, scalp, behind ears and between the buttocks although other areas can be involved too.
- Guttate psoriasis consists of small plaques of psoriasis scattered over the trunk and limbs. It can be caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus which can cause throat infections.
- Palmoplantar psoriasis is psoriasis affecting the palms and soles. Psoriasis may appear at other sites too.
- Pustular psoriasis is rare type of psoriasis where the plaques on the trunk and limbs are studded with tiny yellow pus filled spots. It can be localised or generalised and can flare rapidly necessitating hospital admission for treatment.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis is an aggressive rare form of psoriasis which affects nearly all of the skin and can sometimes require hospital admission for treatment.
Nail psoriasis is present in about half of people with psoriasis. The features of nail psoriasis are:
- Pitting and ridging of the surface of the nail
- Salmon pink areas of discolouration under the nail
- Thickening and yellowing of the nails.
- Complete nail destruction.
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What Psoriasis Creams And Topical Agents Can I Use
Medications applied directly to the skin are the first line of treatment options for psoriasis.
The main topical treatments are:
- corticosteroids,
- anthralin, or
- retinoids.
For more detailed information on each medication, see Understanding Psoriasis Medications. Generic drug names are listed below with examples of brands in parentheses.
Topical Medications
- Corticosteroids: Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in mild or limited psoriasis and come in a variety of forms. Foams and solutions are best for scalp psoriasis and other thickly hair-bearing areas, such as a hairy chest or hairy back. Creams are usually preferred by patients, but ointments are more potent than any other vehicles, even at the same percentage concentration.
- Super potent topical corticosteroids such as clobetasol propionate and betamethasone dipropionate augmented are commonly prescribed corticosteroids for use on non-facial, non-intertriginous areas .
- As the condition improves, one may be able to use potent steroids such as:
- mometasone furoate or
- halcinonide or
- mid-potency steroids such as triamcinolone acetonide or betamethasone valerate . These creams or ointments are usually applied once or twice a day, but the dose depends on the severity of psoriasis as well as the location and thickness of the plaque.
Treatment Of Associated Conditions
Health conditions associated with psoriasis include psoriatic arthritis, sleep disturbance, and depression. Treatment for these may help skin disease.
Due to the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, weight loss, smokingcessation, moderation of alcohol intake, and blood pressure control may also lead to improvements in skin disease .
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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:
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When the skin on or around your genitals is raw, postpone sex.
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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.
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Men: Use a lubricated condom. Whether a man or woman has genital psoriasis, this lessens the risk of irritating the inflamed area.
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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.
Images
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 .
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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Are Psoriasis Shampoos Available
Coal tar shampoos are very useful in controlling psoriasis of the scalp. Using the shampoo daily can be very beneficial adjunctive therapy. There are a variety of over-the-counter shampoos available without a prescription. There is no evidence that one shampoo is superior to another. Generally, the selection of a tar shampoo is simply a matter of personal preference.
How Does Vaginal Psoriasis Affect Your Sex Life
Vaginal psoriasis can make your sex life a little more complicated. However, it is essential for people to understand that it does not inhibit your sexual function. Make sure to share with your partner about your condition and to assure them that it is not contagious.
Below are some useful psoriasis sex tips
- Maintain high cleanliness levels, especially in your genital area
- Clean your genital area after engaging in any sexual activity
- Use condoms that are adequately lubricated
- Do not try to speed up the healing process by applying more medication against as directed
It could be helpful if a patient and their partner came to a doctors visit together.
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When Should I See A Doctor For Psoriasis
Since psoriasis is a systemic disease of inflammation with dramatic skin involvement, most people should seek medical advice early in its course when symptoms and signs appear. Besides arthritis, people with the condition are more likely to be obese and to have coronary artery disease and/or diabetes. Psoriasis, if limited to small areas of skin, may be an inconvenience for some people. For others, it may be disabling.
- Those with psoriasis commonly recognize that new areas of psoriasis occur within seven to 10 days after the skin has been injured. This has been called the Koebner phenomenon.
- People should always see a doctor if they have psoriasis and develop significant joint pain, stiffness, or deformity. They may be in the reported 5%-10% of individuals with psoriasis who develop psoriatic arthritis and would be a candidate for systemic therapy. Psoriatic arthritis can be crippling and cause permanent deformity.
- Always see a doctor if signs of infection develop. Common signs of infection are red streaks or pus from the red areas, fever with no other cause, or increased pain.
- People need to see a doctor if they have serious side effects from their medications.
Skin: Condition: Infomation Phototherapy:
Two types of light are used: narrowband ultraviolet B light and ultraviolet A light . The latter requires a sensitiser, known as a psoralen that can be taken as a tablet or added to a bath prior to treatment.
Further information on phototherapy is available in the following information leaflets: Treatments for moderate and severe psoriasis and ).
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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.
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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Can A Diet Cure Psoriasis Naturally
- Avoiding environmental factors that trigger psoriasis, such as smoking, and stress may help prevent or minimize flare-ups of psoriasis. Sun exposure may help in many cases of psoriasis and aggravate it in others.
- Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis, even moderate amounts of beer. People should minimize alcohol use if they have psoriasis. This is especially important if they are taking medications such as methotrexate or acitretin.
- Specific dietary restrictions or supplements other than a well-balanced and adequate diet are not important in the management of plaque psoriasis.
- Recently, some data has supported that an “anti-inflammatory” diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated and trans fats may help manage psoriasis, although the value in preventing its onset is less certain.
Consider Wearing A Lighter Color Palette For Affected Areas
Flakes are fun, arent they? If you deal with them on a regular basis, you may not have much navy blue or black in your closet.
Even though black tends to be a staple color in New York, there were times I had to go with a medium gray in the autumn and winter. This helped minimize the appearance of flakes on my clothes.
Sometimes your scalp may be the only affected area. Lighter dress shirts for men or blouses for ladies will help greatly.
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Talk With Others Who Understand
MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 87,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.
Has psoriasis in the ears impacted your life? What treatments work for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyPsoriasisTeam.
How Oral Psoriasis Is Related To Regular Psoriasis
While psoriasis typically appears on the skin, psoriasis in the mouth can occur in rare casesespecially if you already have psoriasis on your skin. That being said, unlike psoriasis in the skin, psoriasis on the lips, tongue, or corner of the mouth does not have a regular pattern caused by known triggers, so outbreaks can come about without any reasons you might associate with outbreaks on your skin.
Psoriasis in the mouth is uncommonbut if you do think you’re experiencing symptoms, talk to your dentist or dermatologist to make sure it’s psoriasis .
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