Patients who suffer from psoriasis need a treatment plan tailored to their specific kind of psoriasis. There are seven types of psoriasis a board-certified dermatologist or skin care specialist can potentially see.
Plaque Psoriasis or Psoriasis Vulgaris
Plaque psoriasis is the most common variety of psoriasis, afflicting 80 percent of patients. Plaque psoriasis is characterized by red, inflamed patches with white scales that itch and burn.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis often appears in younger patients, accounting for almost 2 percent of cases. Patients will notice tiny, salmon-colored spots on their thighs, trunk, scalp and upper arms that last for several weeks. This condition is triggered by beta-blockers, skin injuries, stress and upper respiratory infections.
Inverse Psoriasis or Flexural Psoriasis
Triggered by yeast, inverse psoriasis may present itself with bright red, non-scaly lesions in the folds of the skin. Sweating and chaffing can worsen this condition.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters to crop up on the body. This conditions’ triggers include topical steroids, systemic medication, ultraviolet light, chemical exposure, stress, infections and pregnancy. Patients may have a fever, nausea, chills, a rapid heart rate and muscle weakness.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is the least common yet the most serious kind of psoriasis. During a flare-up, patients may experience widespread redness of the skin along with skin shedding, a burning sensation on the affected areas, an increased heart rate and body temperature fluctuations. Infections and severe sunburns are two common triggers. Coal tar products, cortisone, anti-malarial drugs and lithium are other triggers. Complications from erythrodermic psoriasis include congestive heart failure and pneumonia.
Psoriatic Nail Disease
Approximately 50 percent of psoriasis patients have psoriatic nail disease, particularly individuals who have psoriatic arthritis. Some symptoms of nail psoriasis are nail tenderness, pitting, separation and yellowness.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis occurs when the patient has arthritis and psoriasis. This type of psoriasis can cause red skin with pustules, stiffening and pain in the joints, swelling of the toes and fingers and a warm feeling in the joints.
Pharos Excimer Laser Treatment
The laser treatment with the Pharos Excimer Laser targets only the skin that is affected by psoriasis in order to penetrate the layers of skin and break down the T-cell’s DNA, with no damage to healthy skin. This dermatological treatment is safe and effective, producing noticeable results after only several sessions without the inconvenience of messy creams.