What is best psoriasis treatment
What is Psoriasis and the Best Psoriasis Treatment at Mayo Clinic
hi I'm doctor Alena bridges the
dermatologist and dermat Oh pathologist
at the Mayo Clinic and I'm here to talk
about psoriasis and our psoriasis
specialty clinic today psoriasis is a
common chronic inflammatory disease of
the immune system that typically
involves the scalp elbows knees hands
and feet however any part of the body
can be involved and it can involve the
nails mouth and joints 40% of patients
with psoriasis experience joint
inflammation called psoriatic arthritis
psoriasis is a serious medical condition
it affects approximately seven and a
half million people in the United States
psoriasis affects people in all age
groups and affects men and women equally
the cause of psoriasis is not clear
however we know that there are familial
cases of psoriasis and approximately 80%
of people with psoriasis have relatives
with the disorder we also know that
several factors can trigger a flare of
psoriasis these include an infection
stress certain drugs such as blood
pressure medications and oral steroids
as well as trauma how do we diagnose
psoriasis a diagnosis of psoriasis is
made by skin examination sometimes a
skin biopsy is necessary to help make
the diagnosis in psoriasis patients
typically have raised red skin lesions
covered by white scale these areas can
it most people have mild disease that
affects only a small part of their body
but some people with psoriasis can have
more extensive involvement that covers
over 50% - even their entire body
surface area other diseases and
conditions can be associated with
psoriasis including diabetes heart
disease and obesity inflammatory bowel
disease is three to seven times greater
in psoriasis patients compared to the
general population psoriasis can have a
significant psychological and emotional
impact on patients depression is more
common in psoriasis
patience smoking and alcohol use are
also more common in psoriasis patients
how do we treat psoriasis in patients
who have mild disease we just need to
use various topical treatments that
include topical steroids tar salicylic
acid and topical vitamin A and D
preparations patients who have more
moderate or severe disease as well as
patients with joint disease require
topical treatments in combination with
light therapy oral medications or
biologic medications biologics are taken
by injection or infusion retinoids
cyclosporine that the Trek's eight and
otezla are taken orally these
medications require testing before
starting the treatment and periodic
monitoring and evaluation light therapy
is administered as an outpatient and
includes a 21-day GECK Ehrman treatment
narrowband ultraviolet B three times a
week
broadband ultraviolet B five times a
week are Poobah three times a week our
store is specialty clinic is where you
need to come for evaluation and
treatment of your psoriasis
we offer a multi-specialty
patient-centered approach to your care
at the Mayo Clinic you will receive
unsurpassed care by experienced
providers we have had one of the longest
experiences in the management of
psoriasis this goes back to the time
almost a hundred years ago when dr. ghek
Ehrman was here at the Mayo Clinic and
we continued to use his GECK Ehrman's
tart and light therapy for 21 days as an
outpatient and I found this to be one of
the most effective and safest treatments
available for psoriasis we will evaluate
you and based on the type of psoriasis
and the extent of your psoriasis as well
as your prior treatments and other
medical problems that you may have
determined which treatments would be the
most appropriate for you to receive to
get your disease under control
we will also coordinator
appointments for you in rheumatology for
joint disease gastroenterology for
inflammatory bowel disease endocrinology
for diabetes and weight problems an
internal medicine for heart disease we
can also assist in smoking cessation
alcohol rehabilitation and stress
management during your visit you can
enroll in our wellness program for
weight loss and exercise you may also be
able to participate in research studies
our goal is for you to have the best
possible experience and receive
coordinated and efficient total care so
that all aspects related to your
psoriasis can be successfully managed
