Psoriasis

If you’re one of the 7.5 million Americans with psoriasis and need treatment for itchy, scaly skin, you can find comprehensive, compassionate care at Kessel Dermatology. The board-certified and licensed dermatology providers specialize in several noninvasive therapies to clear your skin and prevent psoriasis flare-ups. They customize care plans using light therapy, medications, and biologics so that you can achieve long-lasting symptom relief. Call the offices servicing the Hamilton Square, Trenton, and Mercer County areas in New Jersey, to schedule a psoriasis consultation or book an appointment online today.  

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that makes skin red and scaly. Dysfunction in the immune system causes skin cells to grow rapidly, which triggers cells to build up on the skin’s surface. The buildup of cells leads to patches of dry, silvery scales that can become painful.

While scales can grow anywhere on your body, they are most common on the:

• Elbows
• Scalp
• Knees
• Feet
• Hands
• Lower back

You can also experience psoriasis scales on your fingernails and toenails. Symptoms tend to be worse in the winter when your skin is dry. Stress, injuries, and infections can trigger a worsening of your psoriasis symptoms.

When should I seek medical attention for psoriasis?

You should schedule a skin evaluation at Kessel Dermatology if you have symptoms of psoriasis that you can’t manage independently. In addition to scaly, red skin patches, psoriasis symptoms can include:

• Pain
• Dry, cracked skin
• Widespread skin rash
• Persistent burning or itching

Psoriasis flare-ups can last for a few weeks or months before subsiding. Psoriasis symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with your quality of life and disrupt sleep.

The Kessel Dermatology providers offer in-office skin exams to confirm your diagnosis. They may also take a sample of your skin for further testing under a microscope.

How is psoriasis treated?

Several treatments are available at Kessel Dermatology to relieve psoriasis symptoms and prevent further flare-ups.

Medications

Topical and oral medications can ease itching, burning, and pain. You might need antibiotics to prevent infection if you scratch your skin or have scales that bleed.

The providers can recommend high-quality skin care products.

Light therapy

Light therapies like phototherapy use different wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light to slow the abnormal growth of skin cells.  

Biologic therapy

Biologic therapies are strong medications that can treat moderate to severe psoriasis symptoms. The medications work by calming your immune system to prevent excess skin cell production.

Kessel Dermatology offers a range of biologics to treat psoriasis, including:

• Etanercept (Ebrel®)
• Adalimumab (Humira®)
• Ustekinumab (Stelara®)
• Infliximab (Remicade®, Remsima®, Inflectra®)
• Apremilast (Otezla®)
• Secukinumab (Cosentyx®)

After a review of your symptoms and your medical history, the Kessel Dermatology providers determine which treatments you need to keep your psoriasis well-controlled.

Call Kessel Dermatology to schedule a psoriasis evaluation or book an appointment online today.