Are you a psoriasis sufferer? If so, you are probably very familiar with the chronic discomfort and embarrassment that this skin condition brings. However, have you ever thought about what is really going on in your skin to produce the thick, scaly and often itchy patches that plagues you every day?
Although you may feel singled out and alone in your frustrating skin condition, psoriasis is actually considered a common skin disease, affecting up to 3% of Americans. The most common type is plaque psoriasis. It appears as well defined thick areas of red and scaly skin. It may itch, but not always. Psoriasis typically develops on the scalp, elbows and knees.
What makes those patches form? It is caused by a rapid growth of skin cells. The immune system sends faulty signals to the skin cells causing them to grow too quickly. Because the body cannot shed these extra skin cells, they begin to pile up on the skin’s surface causing psoriasis to appear.
Mild psoriasis is typically treated easily with topical creams. However, if you have severe psoriasis you may need a different treatment approach. Severe psoriasis can greatly impact your social well-being if treatment is failing. In fact, studies show that severe psoriasis has a greater impact on patients’ lives than heart failure, diabetes and kidney disease. Olansky Dermatology Associates of Atlanta is equipped with state-of-the-art psoriasis treatment options that can bring you out of that statistic. They offer the advanced X-trac laser that effectively treats severe psoriasis, giving patients the confident life they deserve without chronic skin problems.
