Do I have psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a hereditary autoimmune disease. Psoriasis usually appears at the beginning of puberty, but it can occur at any age. Psoriasis looks like a pinkish-red skin irritation with white flakes. Not every skin irritation, however, is psoriasis. Psoriasis is most common on the elbows, knees and (hairy) scalp.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs in 3 to 5% of the Western population. Luckily psoriasis is limited in most cases to mild skin symptoms such as a small number of spots on the skin that start to flake, which are generally easy to treat.
During a psoriasis consultation with our Ridgewood, NJ dermatologist we will analyze your skin and determine which psoriasis treatment will help you the most. Book a consultation at our practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Different types of psoriasis
There are different types of psoriasis and they all have their own specific symptoms. They also all occur on different areas of the body. Medical specialists and dermatologists define eight different types of Psoriasis:
- Psoriasis capitis (scaling, inflammation and plaque formation on the entire scalp)
- Psoriasis vulgaris (most common form, usually patches on knees and elbows)
- Psoriasis inversa (stains in the armpits, groin, buttock and other body folds)
- Psoriasis guttata (aggravation of a number of places throughout the body due to infections)
- Psoriasis unguium (deformation, inflammation and loss of nails on feet and hands)
- Erythrodermic psoriasis (very serious, life-threatening, and covers whole body)
- Psoriasis pustulosa (pus-filled blisters (pustules), usually on palms and feet)
- Psoriatic arthritis (rheumatic joint diseases, such as chronic inflammation)
Our Ridgewood, NJ expert dermatologist can properly diagnose psoriasis and advise you on the right treatment in Manhattan, New York (Central Park West).
Can psoriasis get better?
Fortunately, in most cases, psoriasis only demonstrates mild skin symptoms in the form of a limited number of spots on the skin that peel. This form is easy to treat, mainly with a treatment that focuses on symptom management. In general, this form of psoriasis does not cause too much discomfort. However, in a small number of people, the skin condition can be serious. There are even some cases where untreated psoriasis can lead to death.
The best treatment for your condition can be determined by one of our highly experienced Ridgewood, NJ dermatologists. The exact treatment plan depends mainly on the nature of the disease and the amount of skin that is infected. There is a treatment method for each type of psoriasis. For the milder form of psoriasis that covers up less than 10% of the body, creams and lotions are very effective and safe to use. In some cases, a small injection of steroids may be useful when directly injected into a difficult psoriasis area, or a site that has become immune.
For the moderate to severe form of psoriasis in which more than 20% of the body is covered, creams and lotions work less effectively and are also less practical. In these cases, our Ridgewood, NJ dermatologists may revert to other types of treatments in the form of oral medication, injections or light or laser treatment. There is an effective psoriasis treatment available for all situations.
Psoriasis treatment in Ridgewood, NJ
For more information about our psoriasis treatments, schedule your consultation with one of our expert Ridgewood, NJ dermatologists or fill out the form below. We provide our psoriasis consultations at our practice in New Jersey.
ADDITIONAL PSORIASIS PRACTICES
Outside the Ridgewood, NJ area, we also offer psoriasis consultations and treatments at our other locations in New York and New Jersey:
- Psoriasis Bayside, Queens
- Psoriasis Upper East Side, Manhattan
- Psoriasis Ossining, Westchester
- Psoriasis Roslyn Heights, Nassau County
- Psoriasis Commack, Suffolk County
- Psoriasis Ridgewood, Bergen County, NJ
- Psoriasis Fresh Meadows, Queens
- Psoriasis Tribeca, NYC
- Psoriasis Briarcliff Manor, Westchester
- Psoriasis West Islip, Long Island
- Psoriasis East Setauket, Long Island
- Psoriasis Summit, Union County, NJ
- Psoriasis Bellmore, Nassau County
