Psoriasis is a condition that causes the body to produce new skin cells more quickly than is normal (in days as opposed to weeks). As a result, these cells may build up on top of one another, resulting in patches that appear thick or scaly. These are called plaques. Although there are many types of psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which affects between 80% to 90% of psoriasis patients.
Plaques can show up anywhere on the skin, but are most commonly visible in the following areas:
- Knees
- Elbows
- Lower back
- Scalp
Plaques can vary in size and may appear on the skin as a single patch or overlap, thus covering a large area of skin. No matter the size, plaques are often itchy. Without treatment, the itch can become intense and the skin may develop secondary symptoms of stings, burns, or a painful and tight feeling.
Psoriasis is often a life-long disease – meaning that most people who get psoriasis have it for life. This is true no matter what type of psoriasis you have (one exception being children who have guttate psoriasis, who may see their psoriasis go away over time). Since psoriasis is something you may be tending to for life, developing a treatment plan you and your doctor feel comfortable with is an important step in your health management. By gaining control of your symptoms, you can see clearer skin, feel better, improve your overall health, and prevent the psoriasis from worsening.
Gaining control may look like…
- Learning and actively avoiding what triggers your psoriasis
- Developing a good psoriasis skin care routine
- Living a healthy lifestyle
- Using medication when necessary
If you think you may have developed psoriasis, or are no longer managing your psoriasis to your comfort level, make an appointment with one of our team members. We can help create a management plan that fits your lifestyle and helps alleviate symptoms of discomfort.
Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. For appointments and other questions our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.