Psoriasis Specialist

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that occurs when skin cells grow much faster than normal — typically in several days rather than a few weeks — resulting in a buildup of cells that form scaly reddish or pinkish patches called plaques. Psoriasis isn’t contagious and it’s not due to issues with personal hygiene.

What causes psoriasis?

So far, researchers don’t know the cause of psoriasis, but believe it occurs as a result of an immune system reaction that causes skin to become inflamed. Many researchers also believe there's a genetic component in psoriasis, which means if you have family members with the disease, you're more likely to develop it yourself.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

There are different types of psoriasis, and each type causes different symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Raised patches of scaly skin that appear reddish or silvery and may bleed when scratched
• Itching, which becomes worse during flare-ups
• Scaling and crusting on or around the scalp
• Discoloration or pitting of the fingernails
• Psoriatic arthritis causing pain or swelling in the joints
• Plaques that become worse after exposure to the sun

Psoriasis symptoms tend to occur on both sides of the body, most frequently affecting the knees and elbows.

How is psoriasis treated?

Currently, there’s no cure for psoriasis, and any specific treatment depends on the type of psoriasis you're experiencing. Topical and oral medications may help relieve many of the most aggravating symptoms, including itching, scaling, and redness. Before starting any treatment, Dr. Harris conducts a thorough exam and evaluation to ensure the symptoms you're experiencing aren't due to other factors, such as medication you may be taking. In some cases, phototherapy treatment helps to expose the skin to measured amounts of ultraviolet light. Dr. Harris prescribes the following biologics:

• Enbrel - A medicine recommended to patients who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light)
• Humira - A plaque psoriasis medication that targets and helps block the production of the protein TNF-alpha
• Stelara - The only biologic that blocks the IL-12 and IL-23 proteins
• Cosentyx - Selectively targets the IL-17A protein
• Taltz - Another type of medicine recommended to patients who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light)