Psoriasis

Psoriasis isn’t just a skin condition; it’s the result of a problem with your immune system. Joseph Sedrak, MD, of Texas Skin Center, is a leader in the field of dermatology, with more than 10 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients of all ages who have psoriasis. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Kingwood, TX or the surrounding communities, Dr. Sedrak can help you manage psoriasis and reduce flare-ups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition of your immune system. Typically, something triggers psoriasis to flare up and you experience the unpleasant symptoms of red, raised, scaly patches of skin. This happens because, with psoriasis, your skin cells multiply at an abnormally fast rate. As a result, the skin builds up in patches on the surface of your body, on your scalp, elbows, knees, or other places, depending on which type of psoriasis you have.

What are the different types of psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of this skin condition. It can cover large areas of your body and creates silver-colored scaly areas of skin, often causing pain and irritation. Other types of psoriasis include:

Pustular psoriasis that causes symptoms on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet
Guttate psoriasis that causes small red spots on your torso and limbs, and often starts in childhood
Inverse psoriasis that causes red, shiny areas of skin in the armpits, groin, and under the breasts
Psoriatic arthritis that causes inflamed, scaly skin and painful joints

Other less common types of psoriasis affect your fingernails or cover your entire body with a red, burning rash.

How does a dermatologist treat psoriasis?

Treatments for psoriasis depend on the type of psoriasis you have and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Sedrak customizes a treatment plan based on your individual needs. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and flare-ups since there’s no cure for this chronic condition. Topical treatments often relieve mild symptoms, and a combination of treatment strategies is usually effective for managing moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Your treatment plan may include:

Light therapy
Systemic oral medications
Moisturizers or prescription ointments
Topical corticosteroids

Vitamin D and salicylic acid are often helpful to slow skin cell growth and slough away dead skin cells, respectively. Dr. Sedrak works with you to adjust your treatments so you can get optimal relief and reduce the number of flare-ups you experience. The goal is to help you get relief so you can focus on your life rather than on your psoriasis each day.