Psoriasis

Psoriasis is not just a “skin condition.” It actually manifests underneath the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic or long-lasting condition of the immune system that can range from mild to severe.

At times, psoriasis may be associated with diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Reger Vein and Skin Specialists, led by Dr. Gregg Reger, provides psoriasis treatment and other medical spa procedures to patients in Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and surrounding communities.

How Psoriasis Develops

The symptoms of psoriasis that appear on the surface of the skin are just a part of the story. With healthy skin, the body takes nearly 28 to 30 days to produce new skin cells and shed the old ones.

If an individual suffers from plaque psoriasis, the immune system becomes overactive. This causes skin inflammation and leads to the skin cells being produced faster than normal. The new skin cells are pushed to the skin’s surface in three to four days instead of the standard 28 to 30 days.

But the body cannot shed the new skin cells at such a rapid rate. This causes the old, dead skin cells to collect over each other as new cells are being produced rapidly.

The fast production of new skin cells causes the old ones to be pushed to the skin’s surface. This creates thick, red, itchy, and flaky patches known as plaques.

But the exact reason for psoriasis is unknown.

Psoriasis Types

Many individuals are not aware that there are various forms of psoriasis. However, a patient typically has one type of the condition at a time. Every type of psoriasis has distinct symptoms and can appear on the skin in multiple ways.

It is vital to understand and share with other individuals that regardless of the location of psoriasis on the body or what it looks like, it is not contagious.

Plaque Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis is characterized by raised, swollen, red lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. Plaque psoriasis typically manifests on the lower back, knees, scalp, and elbows. This type of psoriasis is most commonly occurring, and 80 percent of all psoriasis patients have this type.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis often starts in childhood or young adulthood. This type of condition occurs as small, pink, individual spots on the torso, arms, and legs. These spots are usually not as thick as plaque lesions.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis manifests in areas such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts and others folds such as the genitals and butt. This form of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis usually develops in adults and is characterized by the presence of blisters of non-infectious pus surrounded by red skin. It can be localized to a specific body area such as the hands and feet, or be spread over a larger part of the body.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body’s surface. It is characterized by the presence of periodic, pervasive, red skin, and the shedding of scales in sheets.

Psoriasis and Joint Pain

In case a patient has psoriasis and suffers from pain, swelling, or stiffness in and around their joints, they may be experiencing symptoms of a condition associated with psoriasis, known as psoriatic arthritis.

Dr. Gregg Reger receives patients from Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and nearby areas for psoriasis and other medical spa treatments.

For More Information contact Reger Vein and Skin Specialists in The Woodlands, TX

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Board Certified Phlebologist Dr. Gregg Reger at Reger Vein and Skin Specialists please call 832-585-0090 or click here to contact our team. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.