PSORIASIS

OVERVIEW

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that most commonly appears as well-defined red plaques covered by silvery-white scale. It is not contagious and may vary widely in severity, distribution, and clinical course.

Psoriasis results from abnormal immune activity that accelerates skin-cell turnover and produces persistent inflammation.

Psoriasis may affect:

Skin
Nails
Joints, resulting in psoriatic arthritis

It typically follows a chronic course with periods of flare and remission. Flares may be associated with stress, infections, medications, skin injury, or seasonal changes.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL COURSE

Psoriasis can develop at any age, although onset commonly occurs in early adulthood or later adulthood.

The extent of disease varies considerably. Some patients develop a limited number of plaques, while others experience more widespread involvement of the skin, scalp, nails, or joints.

Psoriasis is a long-term condition, but symptoms and disease activity can often be effectively controlled with appropriate treatment.

MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Treatment is selected according to the type and extent of psoriasis, areas involved, symptoms, previous treatment response, and patient-specific factors.

The primary goals of treatment are to:

Reduce inflammation and scaling
Relieve itching, discomfort, and irritation
Improve affected skin
Control disease activity and prolong periods of remission

Treatment plans may combine different therapies and are adjusted over time according to disease activity and clinical response.

TOPICAL THERAPIES

Topical treatment is commonly used for limited or mild to moderate psoriasis and may include:

Topical anti-inflammatory therapy
Medications that regulate abnormal skin-cell growth
Keratolytic therapy to reduce thick scale
Moisturizers and barrier-supportive skin care

Topical medications may be used alone or in combination and adjusted according to the location of psoriasis, plaque thickness, treatment response, and tolerance.

PHOTOTHERAPY (UVB)

Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is an established treatment for psoriasis and can be particularly useful when disease involves larger areas of the skin or has not responded adequately to topical treatment alone.

UVB phototherapy exposes affected skin to controlled therapeutic ultraviolet light according to a medically supervised treatment schedule. Treatment generally requires a series of sessions, with the dose adjusted according to skin response.

Potential effects and risks include:

Temporary redness or sunburn-like reactions
Dryness or itching
Photoaging with cumulative exposure
Potential long-term risks associated with repeated ultraviolet exposure

For this reason, phototherapy requires appropriate dosing and ongoing monitoring.

IVSI offers in-office UVB phototherapy for selected patients with psoriasis and other appropriate inflammatory skin conditions.

SYSTEMIC AND BIOLOGIC THERAPIES

More extensive or difficult-to-control psoriasis may require systemic treatment, particularly when topical therapy and phototherapy do not provide adequate disease control.

Modern systemic treatments include medications that target specific components of the immune pathways involved in psoriasis. These treatments can provide substantial improvement in appropriately selected patients but require medical evaluation, consideration of individual risks, and ongoing monitoring.

The presence of joint pain, stiffness, or swelling is also important because psoriasis can be associated with psoriatic arthritis and may require additional evaluation and coordinated care.

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

Psoriasis commonly requires ongoing management rather than a single course of treatment. Disease activity may change over time, making periodic adjustment of treatment necessary.

Long-term management focuses on controlling active disease, maintaining periods of improvement, minimizing treatment-related adverse effects, and recognizing skin, nail, or joint involvement as it develops.

Discuss Psoriasis Management Options

IVSI provides medical evaluation and management of psoriasis, including topical treatment and in-office UVB phototherapy, with coordination of additional systemic or specialty care when indicated.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a dermatology evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical findings, diagnostic requirements, and patient-specific factors. Outcomes may vary, and no specific medical result can be guaranteed.

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