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Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that appears as red, thickened areas of skin with significant scale. It is most commonly located on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but can appear anywhere on the body. Psoriasis affects up to 5% of the population. It can appear at any age, but most commonly appears at two specific peaks: one at 20-30 years of age and a second peak at 50-60 years. Psoriasis not only affects a patient’s skin, it can also create a significant emotional burden in those who suffer from it.
Despite decades of research, a specific cause is still not known. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disorder. A complex combination of genetics and environmental triggers including stress, trauma to the skin, certain medications, and infections lead to the development of psoriasis.
Most cases of psoriasis can be easily identified by a trained dermatology professional with a simple skin exam. In some instances, a skin biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Numerous other skin conditions including eczema, fungal infections, and other inflammatory skin conditions can have a similar appearance to psoriasis, so it is important to be evaluated by someone familiar with this disease.
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments available to those suffering from psoriasis. While there is no definitive cure, there are several highly effective options with more being developed each year. Some of the treatments we most commonly use at the Dermatology Center of Canyon County include:
If you have psoriasis, please call and schedule an appointment with one of our dermatology providers. Psoriasis doesn’t have to be a burden in your life, and we will be happy to create a treatment plan to make that possible.