Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:09:38 +0000

Answered: How can you treat your nail beds affected by hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:06:19 +0000

Psoriasis affects them as they’re forming, which can make it tricky to treat. In some cases, you can use an ointment to take care of a flare-up on your skin, but your nail bed keeps those treatments from sinking in to the problem area.

Instead, your doctor may recommend:

Sometimes it goes away on its own, with no treatment.

Corticosteroid shots
Scraping or filing the nail
Removing the nails
Light therapy

How can you avoid triggers of scalp psoriasis to get better sleep?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:04:44 +0000

Answered: How can losing weight help with psoriasis in sensitive areas?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:04:02 +0000

Extra pounds can create more skin folds where psoriasis could show up. When you're heavy, you're also more likely to sweat, which can make your symptoms worse. Losing a few pounds may make a big difference to your comfort and the health of your skin.

Answered: What are the different types of treatment for hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:02:57 +0000

Some treatments for hand and foot psoriasis are:

Your doctor may also recommend you use super glue to seal cracks in your palms and soles. Make sure you don’t have an allergy to the glue before trying it.

Keep your skin moisturized with lotion and drink plenty of water. When it's dry, it cracks more easily, which can lead to more blisters. Skin that’s hydrated can also take in topical treatment better and heal faster.

Medicines that go on your skin
Prescription drugs in liquid or pill form
Special light therapy units for palms and soles
Biologic drugs that you get through an IV

Answered: Why does psoriasis make someone feel depressed?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:01:36 +0000

Psoriasis can be embarrassing. The most obvious reason psoriasis makes you feel down is what it does to your skin. The red, scaly patches can be hard to hide, especially in the summer. People around you might treat you differently because they don't understand what psoriasis is or they think it's contagious. Surveys show that one in five people with psoriasis have faced rejection and felt unwelcome at times because of their condition.

Answered: How can you treat hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:00:18 +0000

Because you use your hands and feet so much, psoriasis treatment can pose a challenge. The condition can affect your ability to walk, button a shirt, hold a pencil, and do many other regular things. It’s best if you act quickly and do what you can to prevent flare-ups.

Start with a visit to your doctor as soon you notice symptoms. She'll try different options until she finds the one that’s right for you.

Answered: How can peeling creams affect your psoriasis in sensitive areas?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:59:49 +0000

The best products to soften and remove scales have salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, or phenol. Some over-the counter (OTC) peels may be too strong, so check with your doctor before you use them. Avoid peels on cracked or bleeding skin. Use an OTC antibiotic that you put on the area to help heal it.

Answered: How can asking questions help with psoriasis and diabetes?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:59:18 +0000

Learn about the drugs you take, their side effects, and how long you'll need to be on them. If you don't understand something or have concerns about anything, ask your doctor.

Answered: What are the side effects of cyclosporine to treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:58:05 +0000

Cyclosporine slows down your immune system, which can increase your risk of an infection or other health problem, including cancer. You also can have kidney damage or high blood pressure if you take it for a long time.

Answered: Does psoriasis only affect your skin?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:57:06 +0000

Although the condition is most obvious on the skin (including the scalp, where it can cause dandruff), it's not really a skin disease. It's an autoimmune disease, meaning a person’s immune system has turned against the body. Because psoriasis comes from the immune system, it often affects other parts of the body as well. People with the condition have a higher risk for diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. And about 30% of them get psoriatic arthritis, which causes swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints.

Answered: How can scalp oil help with psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:56:28 +0000

Thick scales on your forehead, hairline, behind your ears or on the back of your neck can be softened with coconut, olive, or peanut oil. Massage a small amount into your scalp, then wrap your head in a towel and wait 30-60 minutes. Wash with your usual shampoo, then use a comb to gently loosen and remove the scales.

Answered: How can blood pressure meds cause your psoriasis to be worse?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:55:16 +0000

If you have high blood pressure, you might be taking a drug that slows your heart rate. You may hear your doctor call it a "beta-blocker." Doctors don't know whether all meds in this group make psoriasis worse, but a few have been linked to flare-ups, including:

Ask your doctor if you can switch to a medicine that won't affect your skin condition.

Atenolol (Tenormin)
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
Propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran XL)

Answered: What causes hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:53:35 +0000

Hand and foot psoriasis is also known as pustular psoriasis. It gets its name from the whitish-yellow blisters, or pustules, it causes.

The blisters are not contagious, but they can be painful. They can show up anywhere on your body, but mostly on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.

Answered: What triggers hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:52:26 +0000

Hand and foot psoriasis can be triggered by:

If you smoke, you're more likely to get pustular psoriasis. It’s more common in adults than children, and women tend to get it more than men.

Some medications
Irritation from creams or ointments
Too much UV light
Pregnancy
Steroids
Infections
Stress
Stopping medication quickly

Answered: What can you do to keep your nails safe from hand and foot psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:51:41 +0000

Take some steps to keep your nails safe:

Everyday things you do for your overall health help, too. Eat well, exercise, and keep your stress levels low. All these things help your psoriasis treatments work better, so you’re less likely to have a flare.

Keep them short.
Cover loose nails with a bandage or gloves (not latex).
Don’t bite your nails or use them to open things.

Answered: How should you handle psoriasis in sensitive areas in the bedroom?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:50:47 +0000

Sometimes, especially to the untrained eye, genital psoriasis can look like an STD. Assure your partner that your skin isn't contagious. Use non-latex condoms to avoid problems with treatments that make latex condoms less effective. You can find them in most supermarkets and pharmacies. Lubricants can make sex more enjoyable for both men and women. Clean your genital area afterward, and apply more medication if you need to. Let your partner know when it's not comfortable to have sex, but don't shut them out.

Answered: Why does the Koebner phenomenon happen?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:50:13 +0000

Doctors aren’t exactly sure what makes your skin respond to an injury with plaques. You can have a Koebner response from anything that changes your skin on the outside or the inside, including: Injuries such as animal bites, stings, burns, cuts, bumps, or rubbed skin
Conditions like diaper rash, eczema, infection, scabies, warts, or dermatitis
Allergic reactions or skin irritations
Sunburn or radiation You can also trigger the condition when you get a tattoo, vaccinations, or acupuncture. Even everyday activities like shaving can cause a flare-up. The weather also plays a role; the Koebner phenomenon happens more often during cold winter months and less often in warm summer months.

Answered: What is the science behind scratching?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:49:39 +0000

Your muscles, joints, and organs can hurt. But your skin is the only part of your body that can feel both pain and itch.

An itch can be triggered by something outside your body, such as poison ivy, or by something happening on the inside, such as psoriasis or allergies.

Though it feels good, scratching actually triggers mild pain in your skin. Nerve cells tell your brain something hurts, and that distracts it from the itch. It can make you feel better in that moment, but 1 in 5 people say scratching makes them itch somewhere else on their body.

Sometimes the pain from scratching makes your body release the pain-fighting chemical serotonin. It can make the itch feel even itchier.

That’s why the more you scratch, the more you itch. The more you itch, the more you scratch. This cycle can be tough to break, especially if your itch is really bad.

Answered: How does Hydroxyurea treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:35:57 +0000

Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is a psoriasis drug that has fewer side effects than some of the stronger systemic medications, but is also less effective.

It can cause bone marrow problems and a higher chance of skin cancer. Don't take it if you're pregnant or might become pregnant.

While it's been given as a psoriasis treatment for years, the FDA has not specifically approved it for this use.

Answered: Which drugs that curb the immune system treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:34:55 +0000

Doctors will sometimes suggest a number of these kinds of medications to treat psoriasis, even though they haven't been approved by the FDA for that purpose. Some examples are:

Azathioprine
Hydroxyurea
6-thioguanine These drugs are sometimes used if other systemic treatments don't work or you can't take them. Your doctor will talk to you about all your treatment options.

Answered: What is the link between biologics and infections?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:30:43 +0000

Your immune system helps your body fight infections. Since biologics lower those defenses, taking them could make you more likely to get other infections and diseases.

Answered: What certain medications can trigger a flare of psoriatic arthritis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:29:37 +0000

A few other drugs to discuss with your doctor include:

Antibiotics like tetracycline. They’re often used to treat infections like pneumonia.
Interferons. They help your body fight off viruses like hepatitis C.
Terbinafine (Lamisil, Terbinex). This medicine treats infections caused by a fungus, like jock itch or athlete's foot.

Answered: Are biologics used to treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:28:51 +0000

If you aren't getting relief from other treatments, your doctor may suggest you try a drug that fights the causes of psoriasis, rather than just the symptoms. These medications, called biologics, target a specific part of your immune system.

Researchers are always testing new biologics, and new ones may get approved down the road.

Answered: Do psoriasis symptoms change over time?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:28:00 +0000

Psoriasis symptoms will change over time. You may only have minor symptoms once in a while, or you may have severe symptoms most of the time. Certain things, like dry weather or stress, can cause them to flare up.

Answered: Can an occupational therapist help if I have psoriatic arthritis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:27:04 +0000

If you have severe joint pain and a limited range of motion, an occupational therapist can come to your house and make suggestions on how to make everyday activities easier, like your beauty routine. It’s often covered by insurance, so go for it.

Answered: Can stress cause pustular psoriasis or make it worse?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:26:04 +0000

Stress can cause or worsen pustular psoriasis symptoms. Try to do things to lower your stress levels, like exercise, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Some people feel better as a result, although no studies have proven this.

Answered: What causes flare-ups of psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:24:49 +0000

Every person with this condition has their own triggers. Things that cause your psoriasis to become active may not affect another person.

If you find out what causes your skin to flare up, you will be better able to control your symptoms.

Psoriasis is an immune system problem, so certain triggers may make your symptoms worse.

Answered: Should I sunbathe if I have psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:23:19 +0000

Some people have flare-ups of pustular psoriasis after they get a sunburn or if they get too much UV light when they spend time outside or visit a tanning salon. If you're prone to pustular psoriasis, avoid all-day visits to the beach or park, cover up, and wear sunblock when you go outside. Stay away from tanning salons, too.

Answered: Is there a link between palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:22:25 +0000

As many as 24% of people with PPP also have psoriasis. Psoriasis happens when the skin's life cycle changes and skin cells build up rapidly with thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches.

Answered: How are biologic treatments used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:21:22 +0000

Biologic treatments work by blocking the body's immune system (which is over-active in people with psoriasis) to better control the systemic inflammation associated with psoriasis. Biologic medications include adalimumab (Humira), adalimumab-atto (Amjevita), brodalumab (Siliq), etanercept (Enbrel), etanercept-szzs (Erelzi), infliximab (Remicade), ixekizumab (Taltz), secukinumab (Cosentyx), and ustekinumab (Stelara).

Answered: How can I track my psoriasis triggers?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:20:32 +0000

Write down any associations you can think of. Over time, looking back through your records may reveal patterns that help identify your own triggers for psoriasis outbreaks.

Answered: What kind of doctor should I see about my psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:19:15 +0000

A doctor who specializes in skin care, called a dermatologist, can be a big help with your psoriasis. He'll be up to date on different treatments and help you know how to stay away from things that trigger outbreaks.

Answered: What are the different laser types used to treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:18:20 +0000

Lasers designed to treat psoriasis include:

Excimer lasers release a focused, high-intensity beam of ultraviolet light.
Pulsed dye lasers destroy the tiny blood vessels that support the formation of psoriasis plaques.

Answered: How are biologics used to treat severe psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:17:29 +0000

Biologics target proteins in your immune system that play a role in the inflammation process. They have fewer side effects than traditional systemic therapy.

Answered: Does psoriasis run in families?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:16:08 +0000

Perhaps because it's a problem with the body's immune system. psoriasis seems to run in families.

Answered: How does psoriasis affect the face?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:14:37 +0000

Psoriasis on the face is different than psoriasis on other parts of the body. Your skin there is thinner and may be more sensitive to treatments. In this area, the condition usually affects your:

Eyebrows
Skin between your nose and upper lip
Upper forehead
Hairline

Answered: Are there proven triggers for psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:13:20 +0000

There are few proven triggers for psoriasis, but many people with psoriasis feel a connection between certain activities or exposures and their psoriasis outbreaks.

Answered: Are self-tanning products used to treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:11:57 +0000

Self-tanning products have come a long way since the days when they gave skin an orange tinge. Some experts say they may also help hide psoriasis.

Answered: What treatments for eczema may be used for psoriasis on your face?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:11:02 +0000

Pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic) are two drugs the FDA has approved for eczema, a different skin condition. Some dermatologists recommend these drugs for psoriasis on the face. Talk to your doctor about whether you need these medicines. The FDA says people should use them only for a short time, since some studies have linked the drugs to cancer risks.

Answered: What things can I do to treat palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP)?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:09:45 +0000

Here are some tips to help you feel better:

If you smoke, stop.
Don't use bubble bath or shower gel. Use a soap with moisturizer instead.
Protect your skin. Wear vinyl gloves when you work with water, use household cleaners, or work in your garden.
Wear 100% cotton socks, and avoid shoes made from man-made products.
Be careful. Any injuries, even minor ones, can be hard on your skin. If you have an injury, use waterproof bandages.
Keep the affected areas clean.
Rest your hands and feet often.

Answered: What types of topical retinoids do doctors use to treat psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:01:00 +0000

Tazarotene (Tazorac) cream is a well-known topical retinoid used to treat psoriasis.

Answered: How often should I see my doctor if I have large-plaque parapsoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:57:12 +0000

^{You should be checked twice a year to make sure it hasn't become cancerous. Your doctor may need to take a small sample of your skin (a biopsy) to send to a labe and make sure.}

Answered: Which retinoids are used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:51:05 +0000

Tazarotene (Tazorac) cream is used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis.

How can moistureizers help you ease psoriasis symptoms?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:48:43 +0000

Answered: What are side effects of anthralin for psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:48:21 +0000

Anthralin is medicine makes skin cells grow more slowly and helps get rid of scales. The most common side effect is skin irritation. It also can stain your skin as well as clothing, fabric, and even hard surfaces. It's best to let it stay on your skin only for a short time and then wash it off.

Answered: How can healthy habits help you manage digestive problems and psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:47:54 +0000

Healthy habits -- including a nutritious diet and regular exercise -- can help you feel better, lower your chance of having flares, and get a better result from treatment. Of course, take your medication as directed. Don't smoke, and limit how much you alcohol you drink. Find ways to ease stress, maybe by joining a support group.

Let your doctor know about any new or changing symptoms.

Answered: What are systemic drugs?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:47:02 +0000

If you have moderate to severe psoriasis, your doctor may suggest systemic drugs -- medicines that affect your entire body. They're typically used when the skin condition covers more than 5% to 10% of your body and other methods haven't worked, like phototherapy and treatments you apply to your skin, such as creams, ointments, solutions, and foams.

Answered: What is moderate to severe psoriasis?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:46:30 +0000

Moderate to severe psoriasis describes how much of your body is covered in red, scaly psoriasis patches. Moderate psoriasis covers 3% to 10% of your body. Severe psoriasis covers more than 10% of your body.

Answered: Can coconut oil help with psoriasis symptoms?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:46:01 +0000

If you're looking for a natural remedy to add to your psoriasis treatment plan, coconut oil gets a lot of buzz. There's not a lot of research on whether that's truth or hype, but there are reasons to think it might be another good addition to your toolkit.