Psoriasis Treatment in Pittsburgh, PA

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes recurring patches of red and scaly skin across various areas of the body, typically seen around the knees, scalp, and elbows. These patches are the result of cells that grow too quickly and gradually build up on the surface of the skin.

Dr. Ana Busquet is a board-certified dermatologist at WMC Western PA Physicians providing individualized treatment for patients with psoriasis. If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, schedule your consultation with Dr. Busquets at our dermatology clinic in Pittsburgh, PA today.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Although there is no exact cause of psoriasis, this condition has been categorized as an autoimmune disease that is usually influenced by the individual’s genetics.

Many men and women with psoriasis will experience chronic flare-ups of the condition. In many cases, psoriasis is heavily influenced by an underlying medical condition. Persons with any of the following conditions are more likely to encounter psoriasis:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Heart disease

Psoriasis Triggers

In addition to associated medical conditions, psoriasis can also be brought on by any number of other factors. These triggers are often unique to the individual and their lifestyle, and can significantly increase the frequency of the person’s psoriasis flare-ups.

Common psoriasis triggers include:

• Stress
• Changes in the weather, especially during cold and dry seasons
• Skin trauma
• Smoking
• Side effects from various medications
• Alcohol consumption
• Infections (strep throat, HIV, etc.)

Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Each person can experience psoriasis in a different way. These differences can refer to the specific location of the condition, the size of the individual’s outbreaks, or the visual appearance of their psoriasis.

Symptoms that generally apply to a majority of our patients with psoriasis include:

• Inflammation of the skin
• Thick, scaly patches that look silvery or white in color
• Itchiness
• Soreness
• A burning sensation
• Stiffness within various joints
• Thick, pitted nails
• Cracked skin that may even bleed slightly

Types of Psoriasis

A patient’s unique symptoms will usually suggest what type of psoriasis that they suffer from. Recommended treatment is also highly dependent on this categorization, which can often be determined by our dermatologists upon evaluation of a small skin sample.

At Weirton Medical Center our specialists treat all types of this skin condition, which include:

• Plaque psoriasis (most common)
• Scalp psoriasis
• Nail psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis

Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment

If you notice an abnormality in your skin that does not go away after several days, it is advised to seek the opinion of a medical professional. Chronic skin conditions like psoriasis will not simply go away on their own, and will require ongoing management to help avoid and limit the number of flare-ups that you encounter in your lifetime.