Should I See a Dermatologist for Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that causes skin cells to grow rapidly. The skin cells are not being shed at their normal pace, so psoriasis blotches appear on the skin. Seeing a dermatologist for psoriasis is recommended if you believe that you are suffering from this condition. Although it is not contagious, psoriasis can be difficult to live with from a social standpoint. A dermatologist might be able to help you to get your psoriasis under control.

Genetics are normally responsible for psoriasis. If someone in your family already has psoriasis, there is a chance that you might be prone to it at some point in your lifetime. You might live psoriasis-free for several years before having an outbreak of the condition because of stress, illness or cold weather.

Seeing a dermatologist for psoriasis is a positive step in managing this skin condition. Although it is possible to develop joint problems or infections from skin scratching because of thick psoriasis, most of the problems you might face because of this condition relate to mental health. If your psoriasis is on a part of your body that isn't normally covered by clothing, you might have issues with anxiety, depression and socializing, because many people might be uneducated about this condition. Your dermatologist can start you on some treatments to lessen your psoriasis, which can help you have a higher quality of life.

You can get topical corticosteroid cream by seeing a dermatologist for psoriasis. This popular treatment is an anti-inflammatory that can help reduce symptoms during a psoriasis outbreak. Coal tar is a classic psoriasis treatment but can be messy to use, so you need to be sure to wear old clothing and cover bed sheets with an old towel when applying this substance to your skin. Skin scaling can be reduced by using coal tar.

If your psoriasis is not improving from basic treatments, your dermatologist might believe that you are a candidate for medication injections. There are several medicines that, when injected directly into the skin, can reduce the rate at which skin cells reproduce. Your dermatologist might choose to treat you only with this method or can use injections in combination with some other treatments.

Going to a dermatologist for psoriasis outbreaks is the best way to clear your skin, but you might also need to enroll in therapy. If your psoriasis has ever caused you to be teased or made to feel uncomfortable at work, school or in a social situation, a therapist can help you work past these feelings. Sometimes the emotional trauma that goes along with psoriasis can last long after the excess skins cells are gone.