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Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is classically characterized by thickened, red areas of skin covered with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. The joints, nails, and mucous membranes may also be affected with the disease. Some cases of psoriasis are so mild that people don’t know they have it. Severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body. Dermatologists can help even the most severe cases.
Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another, but it is most likely to occur in members of the same family. In the United States, two out of every one hundred people have psoriasis (four to five million people). There are approximately 150,000 new cases that occur each year.
The goal in treating psoriasis is to reduce inflammation and to control shedding of the skin. Treatment is based on a patient's health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. Different types of treatments and several visits to a dermatologist may be needed. There are many treatment options available including topical treatments, as well as laser and light treatment programs. Shideler Dermatology and Skin Care Center is one of the few physician's offices in the Indianapolis area to use the Xtrac® Eximer Laser as a treatment for psoriasis.
Call our office to schedule a consultation and find out which treatment will work best for you.
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* Information provided by The American Academy of Dermatology.
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