Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis can be triggered by various factors including:

• Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms.
• Stress: High stress levels are known to worsen psoriasis outbreaks.
• Cold Climate: Cold weather can aggravate skin dryness and psoriasis.
• Injury or Trauma: Physical injury or trauma to the skin may trigger psoriasis flare-ups.
• Certain Medications: Drugs such as antimalarials and blood pressure medications can contribute to psoriasis.
• Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for worsening psoriasis.
• Cigarette Smoking: Smoking is linked to increased severity of psoriasis.

When left untreated, active psoriasis can become more severe and may lead to serious conditions, such as extensive skin involvement with red, scaly, itchy surfaces or tender, pus-filled blisters with significant swelling. In severe cases, psoriasis can cover large areas of the body, potentially becoming life-threatening and requiring immediate hospitalization.

Psoriasis may also affect the joints in about 30% of cases, causing pain and difficulty in daily activities. If untreated and persistent, it can lead to severe mobility issues. Additionally, individuals with psoriasis are at a higher risk of other co-morbid conditions, such as:

• Depression: A mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities.
• Diabetes: A chronic condition where the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels.
• High Blood Pressure: A condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Heart Diseases: A range of conditions affecting the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and arrhythmias, often caused by lifestyle factors or genetics.

These co-morbidities can complicate treatment and limit the effectiveness of psoriasis management.

Psoriasis can appear in both men and women, commonly between the ages of 15 and 40, though it can also occur in children and older adults. Early-onset psoriasis often has a genetic component, particularly among first-degree relatives, and tends to cover larger areas of the body.

Diagnosing psoriasis typically involves a clinical evaluation by a dermatologist. In uncertain cases, a skin biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. Imaging studies are useful in detecting psoriatic joint involvement.

Living with psoriasis can significantly impact one’s mental, physical, and social well-being. The condition often brings frustration, embarrassment, and low self-esteem, leading some individuals to seek unproven over-the-counter or alternative remedies.

• Genetic disease with an immune system malfunction.
• Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot spread by touch or intimate contact, sharing of utensils or living under one roof.
• It is not an infection.
• No food is responsible for causing psoriasis.
• There is no cure for psoriasis and often long-term control can be obtained in many patients.
• Best psoriasis treatment Mumbai is available to bring remission in psoriasis and when properly selected, in most cases the lesions clear up in a couple of months.
• Maintenance therapy is equally important.

We offer the best doctors for psoriasis specialist Mumbai and have more therapeutic options available than ever before to control psoriasis.

The psoriasis treatment Mumbai goals include:

• Patient information and education
• Achieve control and optimal clearance
• Maintain remission to prevent reactivation
• Prevent complications

Effectively managing psoriasis involves understanding key dos and don’ts to keep your skin healthy and minimize flare-ups. Here are some crucial guidelines to follow:

Dos:

• Keep Skin Moisturized: Regularly moisturize your skin throughout the day to combat dryness, especially in cooler climates and with air conditioning. Use heavy moisturizers after bathing to reduce scaling. For the best psoriasis treatment in Mumbai, ensuring proper skin hydration is essential.
• Use Moisturizing Soaps: opt for soaps that are moisturizing rather than drying. This helps maintain skin hydration and reduces irritation.
• Take Warm Baths: Avoid hot water baths; instead, use mild warm water. This helps prevent skin irritation and worsening of psoriasis.
• Scalp Psoriasis Treatment: For those with scalp psoriasis, medicated shampoos containing tar, cortisone, salicylic acid, or antifungal agents are recommended to help loosen and remove scales. Consult with a psoriasis specialist in Mumbai for personalized treatment options.
• Manage Nails Carefully: Psoriasis can affect nails, causing them to become thick, pitted, and discoloured. Protect your nails by wearing gloves during heavy detergent use or gardening. Keep nails short, clean, and well-groomed, and avoid manicure and pedicure procedures to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.
• Treat Cuts Promptly: Regularly check your hands and feet for cuts and treat them immediately. Use ointments for thick, scaly skin, and cover with plastic cling film for 20 minutes after application to enhance absorption and relief.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Follow a balanced diet, keep your weight in check, abstain from alcohol and smoking, and engage in regular exercise. This supports overall health and helps manage psoriasis-related arthritis and cardiac risks.

Don’ts:

• Avoid Scratching: Scratching can introduce infections and trigger new psoriasis plaques. If itching is severe, antihistamines may help, but it’s best to avoid scratching altogether.
• Refrain from Self-Medication: Always consult with a psoriasis specialist in Mumbai before starting any new treatments or medications.

The psoriasis treatment Mumbai is chosen in accordance with the severity of the disease. If one has mild psoriasis, it can be managed by topical therapies and moisturizing applications alone. Moderate psoriasis may improve with topical therapies or may need additional phototherapy with or without oral medications. Phototherapy is conducted by using light sources (UVA and UVB rays). Severe psoriasis must be treated with certain disease-modifying drugs and newer biologics drugs. Oral medications work by reducing the accelerated skin multiplication.

Research supports continued reliance on a fixed dose, rotational newer therapies for mild to moderate and drugs like methotrexate, Acetretin, cyclosporine and biologics for moderate, severe and life-threatening types of psoriasis. The advent of biologics has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis. And newer biological drugs work by targeting specifically the TNF alpha cytokine responsible for initiating the disease process there are a number of biologics available for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Some of them are approved by FDA for use in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

No one treatment works for everyone and there is no way of predicting which treatment will work or which will not. Patient lifestyle management is as important as a therapeutic intervention in psoriasis specialist Mumbai. Thus, various factors governing the treatment of choice are crucial and play an important role in choosing these treatments. Professional dermatology opinions and services should be sought for addressing all grades of psoriasis. With proper education, information and medical care the worst psoriasis can be overpowered and life can be lived to the fullest.