Understanding Psoriasis: What It Is and How You Can Manage It
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that causes patches of thick, scaly skin. These patches are often red, itchy, and dry. While it’s not contagious, it can be frustrating and embarrassing—especially during warmer months when more skin is exposed.
This condition happens when skin cells grow too fast. Normally, your body takes about a month to create and shed old skin cells. But if you have psoriasis, this process speeds up and takes just a few days. As a result, the cells build up on the skin’s surface, creating rough, raised patches.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Experts don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, but we do know it’s related to the immune system. A type of white blood cell called a T cell helps your body fight infections. In people with psoriasis, these cells attack healthy skin by mistake, causing the skin to react by growing faster than it should.
Psoriasis can also run in families. If a parent or sibling has it, you’re more likely to develop it too.
What Can Trigger a Flare-Up?
Psoriasis can come and go, but certain things can trigger a new flare-up. Common triggers include:
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Stress
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Cold weather
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Strep throat
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Smoking
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Certain medications
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Bug bites or sunburns
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Avoiding these triggers can help keep your symptoms under control.
Types of Psoriasis
There are several types of psoriasis, but the most common is plaque psoriasis. It causes raised, red areas covered with silvery-white flakes. These patches often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
Another type is scalp psoriasis, which shows up along the hairline, behind the ears, and on the neck. It can cause flaking that looks like dandruff, along with soreness and itching.
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How Do You Treat Psoriasis?
There is no cure for psoriasis, however, many treatments can help reduce symptoms and make flare-ups happen less often. Some of the most effective options include:
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Topical creams and ointments: These are rubbed into the skin to reduce redness and scaling.
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Oral medications or injections: These treat psoriasis from the inside out and may be used for more severe cases.
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Laser therapy: Light treatments like XTRAC target psoriasis patches with UVB light, helping to clear the skin without affecting healthy areas. Many patients see improvement within weeks. XTRAC is a painless treatment with no recovery time needed, and it’s covered by most insurance plans.
Can Your Diet Help?
What you eat can also play a role in managing psoriasis. Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, leafy greens, nuts, and avocados can help. On the other hand, sugary foods, fried items, dairy, and alcohol might make symptoms worse. Monitoring your weight and drinking plenty of water are also helpful for managing flare-ups.
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Let Paragon Skin Help You Manage Psoriasis
If you think you may have psoriasis—or if you’ve been struggling to find relief—don’t wait. Visit one of our trusted providers at Paragon Skin in Toms River or Manahawkin, NJ. We’ll help create a care plan tailored to your skin’s needs so you can feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin. Let us help you get back to feeling like yourself!