About this topic
Psoriasis is a problem where your skin gets dry, thick, and red. It can happen anywhere on your body. You may see scaly, raised patches that look white or silver. You skin may feel sore and itchy. If it is on your scalp or genital area, it may look like a rash. It may cause your fingernails or toenails to change color. The nails may crumble or look pitted. ‚
This problem may go away for long periods of time and then come back. Some people have very mild cases. Others have more serious cases. There is no cure for psoriasis. Your doctor will treat your signs. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Ask your doctor about the best lotions, creams, and shampoos to use on your skin and scalp. Your doctor may suggest:
- Take a bath in oatmeal, bath oil, or bath salts to help ease your signs. This may also loosen scales. Use warm water and mild soaps.
- Before going to bed at night, use an unscented moisturizing cream on the affected part. Then, wrap in plastic wrap.
- Try massage, relaxation, breathing exercise, yoga, and image and music therapy. These may help to ease stress.
- Spend short periods of time in the sunlight. Use sunscreens to avoid getting a sunburn.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may suggest phototherapy. This is a light treatment used to treat psoriasis.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Slow skin growth
- Help keep the skin from getting dry
- Help with itching
- Weaken the immune system
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activity should not be limited. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Arthritis
- Very bad itching
- Infection
- Problem comes back
- Low self-esteem or low mood over the way your skin looks
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You cannot prevent psoriasis. There are some things you can do to help prevent flareups. ‚
- Keep your skin clean and moist. Take a bath or shower each day.
- Protect your skin from cuts, burns, and bites.
- Protect your skin in cold weather.
- Eat a healthy diet. Exercise often.
- If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
- Avoid drinking too much beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Talk with your doctor about all of the drugs you are taking. Some may make this problem worse.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Joint pain and swelling
- Not able to do everyday tasks
- Attack with patches that cover most of your body
- You have trouble dealing with how your skin looks
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Join a support group. Learn how others have coped with this health problem. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my skin.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have joint pain and swelling.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/psoriasis ‚
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/scalp-psoriasis ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/468/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚