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Psoriasis | |||
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Psoriasis is a recurrent inflammatory skin disease with strong family tendencies.
This disease can occur at any age and is one of the most common skin ailments in dermatology.
It is estimated that between 5 and 6 million Americans will be afflicted by psoriasis at
some point in their lifetime. For many patients, there appears to be a direct relationship
between increased stress and their psoriasis flare-ups.
Other patients with psoriasis are not as fortunate. Occasionally, patients with psoriasis may only see effects on the palms of their hands or soles of their feet. These areas may have multiple small blisters or pustules and may be extremely resistant to therapy. In more severe cases, the condition can progress with many small plaques scattered about the body. Large areas of skin may be covered with plaques and, in rare instances, the entire surface of the skin can be involved.
Treatment of Psoriasis and PUVA TherapyOne of the easiest forms of therapy for extensive psoriasis is PUVA therapy. Ninety percent of patients receiving at least 30 of these treatments usually find relief from their disease. It is important to note, however, that this is not a cure. Maintenance therapy may occasionally be necessary to remain clear of psoriasis symptoms. As with all systemic therapy, PUVA therapy is not perfect and there are no guarantees as to a specific patient's response to treatment. Other forms of systemic therapy include the use of Methotrexate, cyclosporin, retinoids, hydroxyurea, and many others. At the moment there are probably 50-60 new therapies for psoriasis under development at this time. Please discuss the therapeutic options for psoriasis with your dermatologist.
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