Psoriasis is a condition that is different for everyone. Consult with a board-certified dermatologist who understands the differences of psoriasis. That is an important first step.
Psoriasis is said to be moderate when it affects 3% to 10% of your body. If it affects less than 3% it is considered mild. If psoriasis covers more than 10% of your body, it is considered severe. For perspective, think of the surface area of one hand, including palm, fingers and thumb. That equals about 1% of total skin surface.
“The severity of psoriasis can be measured by how the disease affects a person’s quality of life. Psoriasis can have a serious impact even though it may be a small area, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. We treat each psoriasis patient with consideration of how their condition is unique to their way of life,” Dr. Russell Peckham, board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Associates, Central Texas, points out.
Psoriasis Treatments
Biologics
Used for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, biologics are used when other treatments have not been sufficient.
These treatments are taken by injection or by IV infusion. Drugs known as Cimzia, Cosentyx, Enbrel, Humira and Simponi are injected in the legs, abdomen or arms, usually by the person with psoriatic disease or a member of the family.
Stelara is a drug that is administered as a subcutaneous injection by a health care provider. Remicade is an IV infusion given in a doctor’s office or infusion center. TNF-alpha blockers have shown evidence of helping reduce the progression of joint damage in psoriatic arthritis.
Systemics
Systemic medications are prescription drugs taken by mouth or by injection and work systemically throughout the body. Moderate to severe cases receive this medication.
Phototherapy
Also called light therapy, this procedure exposes the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis and under medical supervision. Treatments are done in a clinic or at home.
New Oral Treatments
These treatments improve symptoms of psoriatic disease by inhibiting specific molecules tied to inflammation. These new treatments can be effectively delivered as tablets taken by mouth.
Topicals
Topical treatments which are applied directly to the skin are usually the first treatment when diagnosed with psoriasis. They can be bought over the counter or by prescription.
Reference: https://www.psoriasis.org/
Looking to Visit a Dermatologist for Psoriasis Treatments?
Working with your doctor or board-certified dermatologist will ensure that you find a psoriasis treatment that works best for you. We have multiple locations throughout the country, so fill out our simple online form to get in touch with us. One of our local team members will reach out to you shortly to answer your questions or schedule an appointment for you to visit us soon.
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