Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease that affects about 1 million people in Canada. Having psoriasis can be very challenging for most people.
If you are one of them, are you seeing a dermatologist for your psoriasis? If not, you may want to consider it. In our article, find out how a dermatologist can help you manage your psoriasis:
- What is psoriasis? Causes and symptoms
- Can a dermatologist help?
- How to prepare for a visit?
- How can I get treatment?
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that manifests itself as red, thick, scaly patches on various parts of the body, including the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.
The immune system of psoriasis sufferers mistakenly attacks skin cells, causing rapid and excessive production of new skin cells. This rapid accumulation leads to the characteristic plaques of the disease.
The causes
The causes of psoriasis are complex and multifactorial. Although genetics play a significant role, other environmental and immunological factors also come into play. In addition, sunburn, high stress levels, a reaction to medication or poor lifestyle habits can trigger plaques in psoriasis sufferers.
The symptoms
Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person, both in terms of severity and location. Psoriasis plaques are often accompanied by itching, burning and, in some cases, pain. Dryness and cracking of the skin can also be common symptoms. Some types of psoriasis can affect the nails, causing deformation, thickening or color changes.
Psoriasis is a complex disease with a major impact on a person’s quality of life, which can have an impact on the patient’s mental health.
Can a dermatologist help with psoriasis?
A dermatologist is a medical specialist with extensive training in diagnosing and treating skin, nail, and hair conditions, including psoriasis. Dermatologists have the expertise to distinguish psoriasis from similar skin conditions and prescribe the most appropriate treatments. They can also help you understand the factors that trigger your psoriasis and suggest strategies for living better with it.
Regular follow-up by a dermatologist helps monitor the progression of the disease, adjust treatments in the event of flare-ups, and manage any complications, such as psoriatic arthritis.
In addition, a dermatologist understands the psychological impact of psoriasis and can provide support or referral to mental health professionals (psychologist or other).
Why see a dermatologist who specializes in psoriasis?
Some dermatologists specialize in psoriasis and can offer state-of-the-art expertise for this disease. There are many reasons why you may want to make this request, including:
- You are not satisfied with your psoriasis treatment or your treatment is not meeting your expectations
- You have moderate or severe psoriasis (use the psoriasis severity calculator to figure out how severe your psoriasis may be).
- Your psoriasis has a great impact on your quality of life.
How to prepare for your visit to the dermatologist?
Before your appointment, figure out what you want out of your visit. Write a list that includes:
- Your symptoms.
- Information from other health care providers you see, such as your family doctor (e.g., other medications you are taking or medical conditions you have).
- Treatments you’ve tried and what resulted (e.g., Were you satisfied? Did you experience side effects?).
- Concerns you have about your treatment.
- Treatments you are interested in.
Be prepared to discuss these things and take notes on the information provided to you by the dermatologist.
Get a treatment for psoriasis
While there is no definitive cure, various treatment options, such as topical therapies, phototherapy and systemic medications, can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for sufferers.
During your consultation with your dermatologist, he or she can prescribe a treatment suited to your type of condition and your medical history.
Sources | 1: Canadian Dermatology Association – Psoriasis
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