#1 Psoriasis Specialist in San Antonio, TX
A diagnosis of psoriasis can be debilitating. It can affect many aspects of one’s life, making one uncomfortable, self-conscious, and unable to be fully present in different situations. However, there’s hope for relief from psoriasis.
If you’re looking for a psoriasis specialist in San Antonio, TX, look no further than RFSA Dermatology. With some careful expertise, you can expect consultation, advice, and treatment that will help set your life on the right track again.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a very common, chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. These patches can be raised, dry, cracked, and even have blisters present. They are often accompanied by itching and burning that can be worsened by touching or scratching.
Typically, these patches can arise on the hands, feet, knees, feet, and scalp. While these are the most common places, they can be found anywhere on the body. Sometimes it may even spread to the fingernails resulting in the yellowing or weakening of the nails.
Unfortunately, this condition may also cause social discomfort as patients are made to feel self-conscious of their skin or may display scratching behaviors in public or social settings. While there is currently no cure, patients can work with doctors to treat and mitigate symptoms of psoriasis to attain some relief from the itching and burning.
What Causes Psoriasis?
An underlying immune-system disorder causes psoriasis. In a healthy immune system, a specific type of white blood cell called a “T Lymphocyte” – also known as a T cell – will work through the body, destroying viruses, foreign substances, and other things that could potentially make the body sick.
However, in psoriasis, they attack healthy skin cells instead. In order to compensate, the body will produce an overabundance of healthy skin cells which will pile up on the surface of the skin. This then results in scaly patches as too many healthy skin cells are piled atop each other.
While the immune disorder is the underlying cause, there are a number of triggers that could worsen psoriasis or cause flare-ups. Some of these triggers include but are not limited to:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Drugs and alcohol
- Abrasions or impact on the skin
- New or worsening infection
For conditions triggered by stress, the National Psoriasis Foundation suggests using calming techniques such as meditation to help calm stress. Working with a psoriasis specialist in San Antonio, TX, can help you discover some of your triggers and how to prevent future flare-ups.
Types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis may come in many forms and present itself differently for each individual. Typically, patients will suffer from one specific type as opposed to several forms of psoriasis.
However, if a patient clears their patches, another type may form down the road. No matter the type, your psoriasis specialist in San Antonio, TX, can help you find the treatment that is right for you.
Plaque Psoriasis
This is the most common form. It is associated with the typical red/silvery scaly lesions. About 80% of patients with psoriasis will experience this form.
Nail Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis, as its name suggests, primarily affects the nail bed. Patients may develop pits in the nail bed or experience yellowing/thickening of the nails. Sometimes this can be associated with a fungal infection as well.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
This one is the least common form. It can cause full-body scaling and can be fatal if left untreated.
Pustular Psoriasis
In this form, patients may develop painful, white blisters that contain pus and are surrounded by red, irritated skin. Typically, this is found in adults and can be triggered by a variety of factors.
Inverse Psoriasis
This form typically manifests itself in the folds of the skin. Areas prone to inverse psoriasis can be the groin, armpit, breast, or neck.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This is a combination of psoriasis and arthritis together. This form is particularly painful because one irritates and triggers the other, and the combination of both types of pain can be overwhelming for some patients. In these cases, it can be important to seek specialized care for both conditions.
Guttate Psoriases
This form can manifest in childhood or even early adulthood. It is often seen on the arms, legs, and torso. It is also associated with strep throat and other bacterial infections. For children, early treatment and prevention can be the key to preventing future flare-ups.
It could also help children develop good habits about maintaining their condition by being conscious of the way they touch their patches.
Psoriasis Symptoms
Psoriasis can have a variety of symptoms that can vary in severity among different cases. It tends to be cyclical in nature, with intermittent flare-ups and remissions. It can be difficult to pinpoint what causes a flare-up or what aids remission. Some common symptoms can include the following:
- Itching
- Burning
- Sore or sensitive skin
- Soreness associated with touch, temperature, or contact with different materials
- Red patches on the skin
- Dry, flaky, or cracked skin
- Crusting
- In some cases, patients may feel self-conscious for aesthetic reasons.
It’s important to know that this condition can look different for everyone. If you have black or dark skin, patches may appear purple, grayish, or dark brown.
How Will RFSA Dermatology Help?
RFSA is the place to go if you’re seeking a psoriasis specialist in San Antonio, TX. This board-certified team of dermatologists could help diagnose your specific form of psoriasis and then get you the proper treatment.
Some common treatments include topical medications that can be put directly on the affected area, oral medications that can work from the inside out, phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet light, and biologics, which is a treatment that is manufactured by biological means.
In recent years, treatments have only gotten better. RFSA is up-to-date with the latest and greatest psoriasis treatments, so you know you’ll be receiving cutting-edge care.
In addition to that, you will be treated as a valued patient, so your concerns will be thoroughly listened to and addressed before any treatment is considered.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
While psoriasis can be quite debilitating, there is still hope for a better quality of life for patients who suffer from this condition. To take charge of your life today, book now to see what RFSA can do for you!
