At Dermatology Consultants of Short Hills, we assist Short Hills, NJ, area patients with their skin and body needs. This includes providing a definitive diagnosis and treatment options for psoriasis, a common skin condition that can be bothersome to most.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the body. It affects many parts of the body, including the face, elbows and knees. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments available that can help the symptoms go away.

Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system. Normally, when skin cells reach the surface of our skin after being produced in the lower layers of the skin, they die and fall off. In people with psoriasis, this process happens much faster than normal because of an increase in activity in the immune system. This causes more skin cells to be produced quickly before dying and falling off – resulting in the formation of raised patches and scales on the skin.

For some, there seems to be no specific cause of psoriasis, and it can be triggered by different things in different people. Some common triggers include stress, injury to the skin, certain medications, infection or cold weather.

If you believe you may have psoriasis, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options that are right for you. Below are two of the more effective and common solutions for our patients:

• Prescription creams. There are several different types of prescription creams that your doctor may recommend to help manage the symptoms of psoriasis. These can include corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, and more.
• Phototherapy. Also known as light therapy, phototherapy can help to slow the production of skin cells and help to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. This treatment involves exposing your skin to ultraviolet light for a set period of time, usually under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

How Do I Learn More About Treating My Psoriasis?

If you live in the area of Short Hills, NJ and want to speak with our providers about treatment for psoriasis, you will need to get a definitive diagnosis from a skilled dermatologist. Call Dermatology Consultants of Short Hills at 973-232-6245 to request an appointment at our office. We are open to new patients and can assist with various issues on the skin, body, hair, or nails.