Psoriasis

Psoriasis, an often-painful skin condition, impacts the lives of roughly 7.5 million Americans. If you’re one of them, Carlos Ricotti, MD, can provide quality long-term psoriasis management care at Miami Dermatology & Skin Care in Miami, Florida. To schedule a treatment consultation for psoriasis, call Miami Dermatology & Skin Care or book online today.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the autoimmune system, which protects you from getting sick. If you have psoriasis, your body produces skin cells too rapidly, so they build up on the surface of your skin. This is because your immune system speeds up their development and life cycle. Psoriasis appears as red, scaly patches of skin that are often painful or itchy.

Psoriasis patches vary in size and can cover a large area of your body, depending on the condition’s severity. You might see patches of inflammation and scaly skin on your knees, scalp, elbows, or back. While there is no cure for psoriasis, you can reduce these symptoms and even go through periods of remission with long-term chronic care management. 

How can I tell if I have psoriasis? 

There are several different types of psoriasis, and their symptoms vary. The most common form of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis, which has symptoms like:

• Dry, raised, and inflamed patches of skin (plaques)
• Pain and itching
• Silvery scales over the plaques
• Burning around the plaques

Nail psoriasis affects your fingernails and toenails, causing them to become discolored and pitted. If you have scalp psoriasis, it usually appears on your forehead and can extend into your hair and around your hairline. 

Guttate psoriasis, another type, causes a rash of red water droplets. Inverse psoriasis causes areas of smooth, red, inflamed skin in your armpits, under your breasts, or around your genitals. Additional rare psoriasis types can affect your joints. 

What are my treatment options for psoriasis?

Miami Dermatology & Skin Care offers the latest comprehensive treatments to help you manage symptoms and reduce the number of psoriasis flare-ups. Your provider develops an individualized care plan based around your goals and needs. 

Your treatments might include:

• Oral medications
• Topical medications and products
• Stress management
• Light therapies
• Daily baths
• Avoiding triggers

Additionally, your provider may also encourage you to make changes to your lifestyle such as smoking cessation and healthy eating. You might need to try several different approaches for successful psoriasis management. 

If you need help controlling psoriasis symptoms and managing flare-ups, call Miami Dermatology & Skin Care or schedule an appointment online today.