Psoriasis is a fairly common skin condition that causes skin cells to grow five times quicker than healthy skin cells, which ends up creating hard, flaky areas of inflamed skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, psoriasis is present in 2% of the U.S. population. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, we offer many different kinds of treatments, along with persistent testing and thorough examinations throughout your journey to clear skin. Let’s take a look at the condition in more detail below.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The medical community hasn’t come to an exact conclusion on what causes psoriasis, but they are fairly certain that our immune system has a lot to do with its development. White blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system, attack the healthy skin cells. This causes the body to make more skin cells, which keep growing on the skin’s exterior. Psoriasis is seen to run in family lines as well.
What Can Trigger It?
Stress, sunburns, infections and even some medications can cause outbreaks of psoriasis. So can alcohol and tobacco use. Dry weather can cause flare-ups as well. It is very difficult for a person to determine what their triggers are, which can cause some confusion and frustration.
What are the Different Kinds of Psoriasis?
It is helpful to know that there are actually different types of this condition. These include:
1. Plaque: The most common form. Causes large red patches on the skin with a layer of silver/white scales.
2. Pustular: A severe form that creates pimples that are surrounded by red, inflamed skin. Can also cause flu-like symptoms.
3. Erythrodermic: A serious condition that covers a large area of the body with inflamed, scaly skin. May cause issues with body temperature and require immediate medical attention.
4. Psoriatic arthritis: Painful yet common condition that attacks the joints as well as the skin.
Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta offers a number of treatment options for this common condition. As you can imagine, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for psoriasis. The right treatment for you will depend on a number of factors and can ultimately be determined during a consultation at our office.
Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta is conveniently located in Alpharetta, GA. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options for psoriasis. We look forward to hearing from you!