Psoriasis

Understanding psoriasis: Effective treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis in Perrysburg and Fremont,

Sluggish cell turnover contributes to many unwanted skin conditions, such as hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and dryness. Dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin. In these cases, board-certified dermatologists like Dr. Hope Mitchell will want to speed up the process of cell turnover, which slows down naturally with aging or due to environmental factors like exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning. With psoriasis treatment at Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg and Fremont, OH, we will want to slow down cell turnover due to how this condition manifests. By intervening in this manner, we can put a halt to embarrassing and distressing symptoms. 

Psoriasis basics

Psoriasis is characterized by red, inflamed patches, silver-hued flakes, and swollen, crusted areas of the skin. An increase in blood flow triggers these hard-to-miss features. Circulation is enhanced to nourish the build-up at the surface. Those flakes and crusts? They’re dead skin cells. Frequently, patches (or plaque) show up on patients’ faces, as well as the limbs and trunk (elbows, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, knees, and back). If you have this plaque, you may be diagnosed with the most prevalent type of the condition: Psoriasis Vulgaris. Whereas some of our patients’ psoriasis is barely noticeable, other patients are so uncomfortable with the appearance and feel of these patches that they refrain from social activities. 

Other variants include: 

• Guttate psoriasis – Chicken pox-like inflammation often on the limbs, face, and ears
• Inverse psoriasis – These disc-like patches and bumps tend to present in moist folds, such as under the breasts and under-arms
• Pustular psoriasis – Presenting as white-colored bumps or blisters on the hands and feet or as widespread red patches, blisters, and scales.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis – Untreated plaque psoriasis can lead to this severe form of inflammation, which tends to resemble burns and requires immediate medical care.
• Psoriatic arthritis – 15% of patients with psoriasis will develop this form of arthritis, which involves damage to both the skin and the joints (symptoms include swelling of the fingers and toes, and foot and low-back pain)

We use our considerable knowledge of skin conditions to diagnose the cause of your symptoms accurately. This understanding informs our treatment plans. There are many options to manage pain, itching, and other symptoms and provide real, lasting relief. Generally, those patients with milder forms can benefit from topical medications. For those whose psoriasis does not respond well to OTC or more conservative measures, or for patients with more severe symptoms, we may recommend systemic (oral or injectable) medications or even light-based therapies. Hope is nearby. Contact us today at 419.871.3737 to schedule your evaluation with the team at Mitchell Dermatology at our offices in Perrysburg or Fremont.