Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs when your skin produces an excessive amount of skin cells, leading to the development of scaly, red patches. There is no cure for psoriasis, but the team at Bay Ridge Dermatology offers advanced treatment options to help improve the health of your skin and prevent breakouts.

Researchers are still investigating the cause of psoriasis, but most believe it’s an immune system disorder that triggers your immune cells to attack your skin cells.

How do I know if I have psoriasis?

Signs and symptoms of psoriasis differ from person-to-person, so you may have a difficult time figuring out if your skin condition is psoriasis or something else. The skincare experts at Bay Ridge Dermatology can provide a definitive diagnosis after an examination.

Common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Red, scaly, or patchy skin
• Dry and cracked skin that may bleed
• Swollen or stiff joints
• Skin that’s itchy, burning, or sore

Psoriasis breakouts can be small patches of flaky skin that cause dandruff, or large scaly patches that cover entire areas, such as your kneecap.

If you have psoriasis, you may notice that your breakouts occur in cycles or that certain triggers — such as stress or food — cause a change in your skin.

How is psoriasis treated?

The team at Bay Ridge Dermatology offers a number of treatment options to help you get your psoriasis under control. Some of the more common treatments include:

• Topical ointments
• Light therapy
• Oral or injectable medication

As an advanced medical practice, Bay Ridge Dermatology offers XTRAC® laser treatment for mild to severe cases of psoriasis. The laser reduces inflammation and scaliness of your skin and may help reduce breakouts for up to six months. For the best results, the team recommends 2-3 treatments a week, for a total of 10-12 treatments over the course of four weeks.

What can I do at home to minimize breakouts?

Taking good care of your skin may help prevent breakouts or lessen the appearance of psoriasis.

The team at Bay Ridge Dermatology recommends you soak in warm water with Epsom salt to help slough off some of the scaly skin cells to improve appearance. When you get out of the tub, the team recommends you moisturize your skin to reduce the dryness and prevent itching.

For advanced, effective psoriasis treatment, call the office or request an appointment online.