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Psoriasis and Vitiligo

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What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a very common immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the skin that occurs in about 3 percent of the population. It causes the body to make new cells in days, rather than weeks. As these cells pile up on the surface of your skin, they produce red, scaly plaques with thickened skin. While psoriasis can occur on all areas of the body, it is particularly common on elbows, knees, the scalp, the lower back and the umbilicus.

Psoriasis doesn’t just affect your skin. It can affect your joints too.

How can we help?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that currently has no cure. Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, and about 30 to 40 percent of patients with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis at some point in their lives.

There are many different kinds of psoriasis. That is why it is critical for you to get a proper evaluation and diagnosis, so a treatment plan can be built for you as soon as possible. Because psoriasis can be a lifelong disease, regular appointments with a board certified dermatologist or experienced provider are critical to help you gain control, feel better and improve your overall health to prevent the psoriasis from worsening.

There is more than one type of psoriasis.

Plaque

The most common type, which is marked by well-documented red areas, with silvery/scaly patches, is usually found on the elbows, knees, and/or tailbone.

Inverse

Formed on the areas of skin that touch skin, such as the armpits, groin, or underneath the breasts, causing smooth, bright red patches of raw-feeling skin.

Guttate

Can develop after an infection such as strep throat, causing spots on the skin that are small, pink, and scaly, found on the torso, legs, and arms.

Erythrodermic

A plaque psoriasis often turns into erythrodermic psoriasis and can occur when:

  • Severe plaque psoriasis is out of control
  • There is sunburn or an allergic reaction
  • Medication is discontinued too quickly

Pustular

Pus-filled bumps, often on the hands, feet or both.

Nails

Found on the nails and marked by tiny dents, discoloration, or nails that are lifting away from the nail beds.

Joints

Psoriatic arthritis, possibly developing years after psoriasis on the skin, which affects the joints and requires those with psoriasis to pay close attention and alert their dermatologist if issues arise so that treatment can begin as soon as possible

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disease that causes the skin to lose its natural color, replacing it with patches of lighter skin. Severity of vitiligo can range from a few patches to larger sections of the skin being affected.

Vitiligo can affect other parts of your body as well. Some patients have lost skin color in their hair, mouth or eyes.

Most medical insurance covers Xtrac treatments for Vitiligo.

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