Do I Have To Live With Psoriasis Forever?

Those red, scaly, itchy patches of skin are quite uncomfortable and even embarrassing for some people. Though there are many effective treatments that can help minimize psoriasis flare-ups, there’s no cure. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that will be with you for life. 

Knowing that you have to live with psoriasis forever may leave you feeling frustrated, but your skin condition doesn’t have to dictate your life. At Associated Skin Care Specialists, our team of board-certified dermatologists can design a plan that helps you keep your flare-ups under control.

Because we’d like to find a cure for psoriasis too, we participate in clinical studies that investigate better ways to diagnose and treat this chronic skin condition. 

Why me?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that triggers an overproduction of skin cells, resulting in thick, scaly, red patches of skin that may affect any part of your body. 

There are many types of psoriasis that affect different parts of the body and cause different symptoms. The types include:

• Plaque psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis

No matter what type you have, you may wonder: Why me? Scientists are still trying to figure that out. One theory is that the skin condition may be related to certain inherited genes. However, not everyone who has psoriasis has a family history of this skin condition. 

Another theory is that an outside factor  — illness, injury, or medication — triggers the immune system malfunction that causes psoriasis. 

Psoriasis flare-ups

Psoriasis flare-ups tend to occur in cycles. Your skin condition may last for a few weeks or a few months and then disappear for a period of time. Unfortunately, psoriasis is a bit unpredictable and the rash tends to come and go unexpectedly.

Like the environmental triggers that initiate the autoimmune condition, there are some known factors that may cause a psoriasis flare-up, such as:

• Weight gain
• Stress
• Certain prescription medication
• Infections
• Skin injury

Knowing your psoriasis triggers may help you better manage the skin condition and keep flare-ups to a minimum. 

Keeping your psoriasis under control

When it comes to psoriasis treatment, no single method works for all. In fact, you may need to try a few things before you find the treatment or therapy that works best for you. The goal of treatment is to first clear up your skin and then prevent flare-ups.

Treatment options for keeping your psoriasis under control include:

Topical therapy

Corticosteroids, retinoids, and vitamin D analogs are some of the topical creams and ointments available for psoriasis. These topical medications work by either reducing inflammation and itching or slowing down skin cell growth. 

Phototherapy

For our patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, phototherapy is one of our primary medical treatments. We use narrowband UVB and the excimer laser (a stronger UVB light) to treat psoriasis flare-ups. 

Biologics

Biologics are a new treatment option for psoriasis that addresses the immune system malfunction that triggers the disease cycle. 

Once we get your psoriasis under control, we schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your skin and reassess your plan. Though you do have to live with psoriasis forever, following your treatment plan is the best way for you to keep your skin condition under control.

Let us help you gain control over your psoriasis. Call the office most convenient to you — Blaine, Eden Prairie, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, New Brighton, or Fridley, Minnesota — or use our new online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.