Psoriasis in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Skilled dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson of Fort Lauderdale Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL assists patients with the treatment and ongoing maintenance of psoriasis. This is a recurring skin condition that occurs when skin cells grow too rapidly. Psoriasis causes flaky, red, silvery patches of skin that can become inflamed, itchy, scaly, and can crust. Normal skin cells turn over and slough off about once a month or every four weeks. Individuals with psoriasis have skin cells that build up quickly and form plaques. They can range in size and location on the body, forming on the elbows, hands, knees, scalp, and lower back.

There are many different forms of psoriasis. One kind called plaque psoriasis is the most commonly experienced. Though most cases of psoriasis are believed to be mild, a few are difficult to deal with and can require many treatments throughout a patient's life. It is also important to note that psoriasis isn't contagious and can't be spread from person to person. Once it is diagnosed, it is a matter of managing the symptoms so that flare-ups can be minimized.

The primary cause of psoriasis hasn't been found by doctors. The general idea is the immune system overreacts, which causes inflammation, as well as flaking of the skin. In addition, it is believed that psoriasis can be inherited. Approximately 1/3 of people who have psoriasis have one or more family members with the condition. Scientists think that certain genes interact with each other, which leads to psoriasis. However, you must inherit the perfect mixture of genes and then get exposed to a trigger. Symptoms can appear after triggers, such as a stressful event, taking certain medicines, dry weather, or a bad sunburn.

Prevalent symptoms associated with psoriasis include raised, bright, red patches of skin that are covered with loose and silvery scales. Plaques can also pop up in exactly the same location on each side of your body, such as on both knees and/or both elbows. Your scalp can experience anything from mild scaling to areas of thick, crusted plaques. Itching is common before flare-ups, especially when psoriatic patches show up in body folds under the buttocks or breasts. Tiny areas of skin bleeding can occur when scales are picked or scraped off. This is known as Auspitz's sign.

Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are a variety of treatments available to treat the condition, depending on the severity and type of psoriasis that you have. Mild cases can be treated with prescription ointments, creams, and lotions. When your scalp is affected, shampoos, sprays, and oils can be used. Systemic medications are prescription drugs that are taken orally or by injection and work throughout the body. They are typically used on those with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, advancements in laser therapy have provided huge improvements for many psoriasis cases. Utilizing phototherapy to expose a patient's skin to a special ultraviolet light helps reduce symptoms.

Psoriasis can be painful and embarrassing, making it difficult for you to carry out simple tasks in your everyday life. If this is the case in your situation, we encourage you to call Fort Lauderdale Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL at your earliest convenience. During a consultation with experienced dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson, your condition can be assessed and a treatment plan customized to make your symptoms tolerable and your quality of life better.