As a young child, I had a lot of skin allergies, eczema, and rashes. It made my childhood difficult. As I got older, those skin problems turned into severe acne and sensitive skin. I spent years learning about how to treat my skin to minimize the effects of these things. There are natural treatments, dietary changes, and even dermatology treatments that can help. I don't want to see others suffer the way that I did with skin problems like these, so I created this site to help teach others about the things that I've learned. I hope that the information here helps you to care for your skin and minimize your rashes and issues.
Red, Patchy Skin? It Might Be Psoriasis
Have you been struggling with raised, red, itchy patches on your skin? There are many reasons why this problem might develop, but one distinct possibility to explore is psoriasis. Here's what you need to know about this dermatological condition, its diagnosis, and its treatment.
What is psoriasis?
The most obvious symptoms of psoriasis are its skin-related symptoms, but it is not purely a skin condition. It can affect other connective tissues, like those in your joints, too. For this reason, some people with psoriasis experience sore joints. This symptom tends to come and go, lasting for a few days or weeks at a time.
In terms of the skin, however, psoriasis causes red, flaky, cracking patches. These patches are usually pretty large. They can appear on the face or scalp, and sometimes also on the backs of the elbows or chest. The patches develop big, silver-colored flakes. If the hand is affected, your nails may also start to look pitted and ridged.
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
If you think you might have psoriasis, you should consider medical dermatology treatment. They will examine your skin and rule out other possible causes, such as fungal infections and eczema. Sometimes, they may want to you try a certain cream or medication in order to see how you react to it. Your reaction, or lack thereof, will help them determine whether or not psoriasis is, indeed, responsible for your symptoms. Your dermatologist will also look at some of your skin flakes under a microscope as a part of the diagnostic process.
How is psoriasis treated?
Most patients respond well to a round of corticosteroids whenever they are having a flare-up. Between flare-ups, you may be instructed to use a retinoid cream. These creams increase the turnover rate of skin cells, which can help prevent future psoriasis breakouts. Phototherapy, or exposing your skin to periodic sunlight, can also help.
Part of treating psoriasis will also be working with your dermatologist to figure out your triggers. Common triggers include stress, alcohol consumption, dry weather, and smoking. If you find ways to avoid your triggers in your daily life, you should have fewer psoriasis breakouts, going forward.
If you're experiencing symptoms associated with psoriasis, don't hesitate to visit a dermatologist in your area. This condition is relatively straightforward to diagnose and treat, so there is no reason to go on suffering. The right treatments and management practices will allow you to enjoy clear skin once again.