What is Psoriasis?

WHAT IS PSORIASIS?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition where the skin cells shed in days instead of weeks. It is caused by combination of a genetic trait that causes a quickened autoreactive immune response and exposure to specific external factors.  External factors such as infections, physical trauma, stress, and certain drugs (lithium, antimalarials, interferon, indomethacin, beta-blockers) can trigger a psoriasis flare. Psoriasis affects people from young to old, with a peak incidence around 22.5 years. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS?

Psoriasis can present in different ways. It very often affects the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back, but can also affect the buttocks, palms, soles, armpits, ears, groin, and nails. The two most common variants are chronic stable plaque psoriasis and acute guttate psoriasis, with the former presenting as large red plaques with silvery scale that can last for months, and the latter presenting as small pink or red scaly bumps that erupt suddenly and can spontaneously resolve. 10-25% of patients with psoriasis also have joint pains (psoriatic arthritis). The diagnosis of psoriasis is often made clinically, but a skin biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PSORIASIS?

There are many treatments for psoriasis, including phototherapy, topical medications, and systemic medications. Phototherapy involves exposing affected areas to artificial UVB light. Topical medications include glucorticoids, vitamin D derivatives, immunomodulators, and retinoids. Oral systemic medications such as glucocorticoids, oral retinoids, and oral immunosuppressants are used as well, but require bloodwork and close monitoring due to more serious potential side effects. Biologic medications are injected at specific weekly or monthly intervals and also require bloodwork and close monitoring due to more serious potential side effects. Sometimes a combination of therapies may be used.

Here at Florida Skin Center, we offer all choices of treatment outlined above, but will tailor the treatment based on age of the patient, site and extent of involvement, associated medical disorders, and previous therapies. Please ask a provider about treatment options.

Laser Treatments Offered at Florida Skin Center

Here at Florida Skin Center we have 5 different types of laser in use that allow us to treat a wide variety of conditions.

• Acne- Helps to reduce number of current lesions, and prevent future breakout. A series of 5-6 treatments scheduled 1-2 weeks apart are needed for best results. Maintenance treatment may be needed.
• Hair removal- At Florida Skin Center we have 2 different lasers for hair removal to serve skin tones of all color. These treatments are scheduled 4 weeks apart.
• Telangiectasia’s (or red veins on the face)-Helps to reduce the amount of veins and overall redness of the face or area being treated. 1-3 treatments are generally recommended 4 weeks apart.
• Scars- Helps to reduce the redness of scar, and can help to reduce the bumpiness if scar is hypertrophic or thickened. 1-3 treatments are usually recommend about 4 weeks apart.
• Tattoo- Causes tattoo pigment to break up into smaller particles that the body’s immune system can remove. Number of treatments can vary, but on average a person will need 9-11 treatments, spaced 1-3 months apart.
• Warts- Uses heat to help destroy wart. Treatments are scheduled 3 weeks apart.
• Nail Fungus- Uses heat to help kill fungus. An average of 3 treatments are required, and are spaced 1 week apart.
• Vascular Birthmarks- A variety of vascular birthmarks can be treated by laser. Number of treatments will depend on size of lesion as well as other factors. Treatments are recommended every 4 weeks.
• Excimer- Uses narrowband UVB to help treat a variety of conditions including vitiligo, eczema, and psoriasis. Number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated. To start, treatments are usually scheduled 1-3 times a week.