Psoriasis

The right diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. Psoriasis can look the same as other skin conditions, like eczema.

First, your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. They’ll check your skin closely, looking for the telltale signs of thick, scaly red patches (plaques). Make sure you point out any areas where you have skin irritation, like your elbows, knees, scalp, groin, palms or bottoms of your feet.

Psoriasis can affect more than your skin, so it’s a good idea to tell your provider about any other symptoms you have. This information can help your provider find out what type of psoriasis you have. It can also help them learn if you’re at risk for any other conditions, like psoriatic arthritis. Tell your provider about:

• Belly pain.
• Bleeding gums.
• Changes in how often you urinate (pee).
• Eye problems.
• Joint pain or stiffness.
• Mood changes.
• Tiredness.
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Your provider might also ask you about your family medical history. Do your siblings, parents or grandparents have psoriasis? The condition tends to run in families.

Finally, your provider might do a skin biopsy. They’ll take a small sample of your skin and send it to a lab to have it examined under a microscope. Not everyone needs a biopsy, but your provider might want to rule out other skin conditions or diseases to help ensure the correct diagnosis.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that won’t ever completely go away, but there are a lot of therapies that can help you feel better and improve or clear your skin. Your dermatologist will choose treatments based on the type of psoriasis you have, where it is on your body and how bad it is.

Sometimes you can treat mild psoriasis without a prescription. Ask your provider about over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, like:

• Fragrance-free moisturizers.
• Hydrocortisone creams or ointments.
• Products containing coal tar.
• Scale softeners with salicylic acid.

If your psoriasis is more severe, you might need more targeted treatment. Your provider may recommend a combination of the following therapies:

• Topical medications: You can apply topical medications directly to your skin. They come as creams, ointments or shampoos. They reduce redness, itch and inflammation. Common options include: corticosteroids, retinoids or Vitamin D analogues.
• Phototherapy: Phototherapy (light therapy) for psoriasis exposes your skin to ultraviolet (UV) light, reducing itch and inflammation. It may also make your skin cells grow slower, which can help with those thick, scaly plaques.
• Immunosuppressants: Immunosuppressants target parts of immune cells that cause inflammation. You can take immunosuppressants as a pill or injection (shot). Methotrexate is one of the most common immunosuppressants given for psoriasis.
• Biologics: Biologics for psoriasis work by blocking specific parts of your immune system that cause the skin inflammation or joint pain. You can take biologics as an injection or IV (through a vein in your arm). You might take a biologic every few weeks or months for several years.
• Small Molecule Inhibitors: Oral medications like apremilast and deucravacitinib block processes happening inside the cells of your immune system that would otherwise lead to increased psoriasis inflammation. You typically take these medications every day.

Taking the Next Step

Psoriasis isn’t just skin-deep. It can also cause arthritis and make you more likely to develop depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular conditions. If you have this frustrating autoimmune disorder, it’s time to get help. Our team of experts is standing by to give you the answers and treatments you need.