Our skin cells go through a natural life cycle, and replenish frequently. For patients with psoriasis, the life cycle of the cell is changed. Psoriasis causes the cells to accumulate rapidly at the surface of the skin, which leads to several symptoms. The condition can be unsightly at best and painful at worst.
While there isn’t a cure for the condition, management through lifestyle measures and certain treatments is possible.
Some symptoms of psoriasis in San Fernando Valley include:
• Red patches
• Silvery scaly texture
• Dry, cracked skin
• Dry, bleeding skin
• Itching
• Burning
• Soreness
• Thickened, pitted, and/or ridged nails
• Small spots of scaling (usually seen in children)
• Swollen and/or stiff joints
Symptoms can fluctuate over time, with flare ups occurring every few weeks or months, and subsiding in between these times.
Different types of psoriasis include:
• Plaque: most common form
• Nail: can affect the fingernail and toenails
• Scalp: can cause flakes of dead skin above the hairline
• Guttate: primarily affects children, triggered by bacterial infection
• Inverse: mainly affects the more sensitive areas of skin on the body
• Pustular: an uncommon form with symptoms more widespread
• Erythrodermic: the most uncommon form, with symptoms affecting the whole body
Psoriatic arthritis: regular symptoms, with the added effects of arthritis
If you have symptoms of psoriasis, contact our San Fernando Valley dermatologist.
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