Grand Strand Medical Dermatology Psoriasis Experts
Overview
According to the World Psoriasis Day consortium, 125 million people suffer from psoriasis worldwide. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can be uncomfortable and affect your preferred physical appearance. By visiting your local Grand Strand medical dermatology clinic, you can take action to diagnose and manage your psoriasis symptoms.
Waccamaw Dermatology offers XTRAC Laser for psoriasis treatment. The XTRAC Laser is an FDA approved treatment that can slow and reverse psoriatic cells’ growth so that patients may achieve clearer and beautiful skin. Find out more on our XTRAC Laser page.
What is Psoriasis?
Symptoms
Those who have psoriasis often experience a build-up of skin cells, producing a scaly appearance. This scaly build-up will most frequently develop on joints, such as elbows and knees, but it can also appear on the hands, back, legs, feet, scalp, neck, and face. Some individuals can also be affected on the mouth, nails, and area around the genitals. Psoriasis can range from small spots of skin to covering large areas of the body.
The easiest way to identify psoriasis is by looking for these signs and symptoms:
- Red patches of skin with a covering of thick, silvery scales
- Dry, cracked skin
- Skin that may itch or bleed
- Itching, burning, or soreness
- Swollen, stiff joints
- Thickened, ridged, or pitted nails
If you are unsure if your symptoms point to psoriasis, make an appointment with your Grand Strand medical dermatology clinic, Waccamaw Dermatology, today for a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Causes
According to the Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease. While the exact cause of the disease is unclear, it is characterized due to the dysfunction of the immune system that causes inflammation in the body. Normal skin cells have a lifecycle of about a month, from growth to shedding off the body. However, psoriasis causes the skin cells’ lifespan to shorten to three or four days. When this happens, the body isn’t able to shed the excess skin cells fast enough, which leads to a build up of skin cells on the surface of the skin.
While the following are not a direct cause of psoriasis, psoriasis is commonly associated with other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, one out of three individuals with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis.
Those with psoriasis may experience flare-ups of the condition when under stress, with heavy alcohol consumption or smoking, due to the use of particular medication, being located in severe environmental locations, or through suffering from other injury or infection. Speaking with a physician and your local Grand Strand medical dermatology clinic will help determine your triggers and what you do to avoid them.
Treatments
Waccamaw Dermatology is your local Grand Strand medical dermatology clinic ready to help you achieve healthy and brighter skin. After diagnosis, your physician will carefully design a treatment plan designed to suit your needs. Treatment plans may include topical treatments, medications, and therapy. Make an appointment with Waccamaw Dermatology today to start your journey to happy skin.
Waccamaw Dermatology offers XTRAC Laser for psoriasis treatment. Find out more on our XTRAC Laser page.
