How A Dermatologist Can Help With Your Psoriasis

Although there is no cure yet, your dermatologist can help you live with psoriasis and manage your outbreaks. This article explains the most common treatments for this condition.

Psoriasis is a terribly uncomfortable skin condition that many people suffer from. Your dermatologist can help with a wide variety of treatments that will cut down on your outbreaks. Here is what a dermatologist can do for your psoriasis.

First of all, there is no cure for the condition. Your dermatologist can help by easing the symptoms and reducing the frequency of your outbreaks. There are also preventative measures that you can take which will help you manage the condition.

Topical Treatments

Most commonly, topical treatments are used. While some can be purchased at the store without a prescription, the strongest and most effective need to be prescribed by a doctor.

Topical treatments usually consist of corticosteroids that slow down the abnormal reproduction of cells which causes the pain and itchiness of psoriasis. It is usually recommended that these creams be used together with a skin moisturizer to keep you from drying out.

Light Therapy

Light therapy is often used to enhance the positive effects of the topical creams you're using. Ultraviolet light helps them to work better to reduce inflammation. This is a relatively new technique and, since it's non-invasive, it's safe for anyone to use.

Medical Treatments

There are also prescription drugs that dermatologists use for treating psoriasis, but these are generally only used in severe cases. Medications are prescribed when topical creams and other types of treatment show little result. Most of these are retinoids like Soriatane that reduce redness and itching. These are effective against psoriasis symptoms, but they also have potential side effects and many people have allergies to them.

Lifestyle Changes

Your doctor can also help you reduce your outbreaks and help you manage your condition with some suggested lifestyle changes. Although the exact causes of psoriasis are unknown (although there is strong evidence that it's a malfunction of the immune system), it is easy to identify triggers. These are things that cause your outbreaks, like certain foods, smoking, skin injuries, environmental pollutants and stress. You can work out a plan to make lifestyle changes and reduce outbreaks under the direction of your doctor.

Your diet could also be a factor causing outbreaks. Make sure that you're eating a balanced diet and look for any foods that seem to bring on your outbreaks. You can add these foods to your list of things to avoid. A certain type of psoriasis, called photosensitive psoriasis, is caused by exposure to the sun. Your doctor can help you determine if this is one of your triggers as well.

Living with psoriasis isn't easy, but your dermatologist can help you in lots of ways. Although there is no cure, researchers continue searching for ways to get rid of this disease. Until then, learn to manage your outbreaks, avoid your triggers, and seek the help of your doctor when you need to.

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