Psoriasis

For more information on psoriasis and other skin conditions visit our

Patient Education Center.

At Van Dam Dermatology & Laser Center, we offer a full range of care that brings new hope to patients suffering from psoriasis. Available treatments include topical medications, oral treatments with retinoids, methotrexate, cyclosporin and newer biologic injection therapies such as Enbrel® or Humira®.

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease; it is considered to be an auto-immune disease that often appears between ages 15 and 35, but can develop at any age. Psoriasis comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. It is not contagious.

Psoriasis generally appears as patches of raised red skin covered by flaky scales. In certain kinds of psoriasis, it also has a pimple-like (pustular psoriasis) or sun-burned (erythrodermic) appearance. Psoriasis is frequently found on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Intense itching and burning may be present (but not always), and management is the key to your comfort and health.

In people without psoriasis, skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days. Once the disease is triggered, skin cells accululate up on the surface of the body faster than normal, moving rapidly up to the surface of the skin over three to six days. Because the body can't shed the skin cells fast enough, patches develop on the skin's surface.

Possible psoriasis triggers include:

• Emotional stress
• Injury to the skin 
• Some types of infection
• Reaction to certain drugs

If you or any member of your family suffers from psoriasis, you can be confident consulting with Dr. Van Dam for a course of treatment designed to treat and prevent outbreaks of psoriasis.