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Managing Psoriasis
in the Winter Months
(ARA) - For some Americans, winter
can bring a new set of challenges for their skin, hair and nail
care. However, for individuals with psoriasis, this can be the
most difficult season of all.
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Environmental factors, such as
cold winter weather and dry, indoor heat can rob the body of
needed moisture and cause psoriasis symptoms to flare or worsen.
The condition becomes even more severe when the stress of the
holidays and winter illnesses combine and compromise the immune
system.
“The physical and emotional
discomfort felt by those with psoriasis can be challenging throughout
the year,” says dermatologist Mark Lebwohl, M.D., professor
and chairman, department of dermatology, the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine in New York City. “Due to winter’s effect
on the skin, patients should diligently monitor their condition
carefully and consult with their dermatologist if they are concerned
about changes on their skin during this time of year.”
Psoriasis affects 4.5 million
Americans and is most commonly characterized by thick, red, white
or scaly patches on the skin’s surface. Psoriasis is caused
by the unusually rapid growth of skin cells that can build up
on the skin’s surface -- usually around the knees, elbows,
scalp, hands, feet or lower back -- and cause itching and severe
discomfort.
Many treatments exist to help
ease the emotional and physical discomfort for patients with
psoriasis and can be prescribed by a dermatologist. Treatments
are often selected based on the patient’s health, age, lifestyle
and symptoms. |
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* Topical medications applied
to the skin are used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis and
are often prescribed by dermatologists at the first signs of
the condition.
* Systemic medications treat
the entire body and are often reserved for patients whose psoriasis
is not responsive to topical medications or phototherapy.
* New biologic treatments, which
target the precise immune responses involved in the development
of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, are used to treat moderate
to severe conditions forms of these conditions.
* Phototherapy, or ultraviolet
light treatment, is reserved for moderate to severe cases of
psoriasis that do not respond to topical therapy.
“Patients with psoriasis
should review their treatment options with a dermatologist since
many innovative treatments and therapies now exist that can greatly
improve the quality of life for people with psoriasis,”
adds Dr. Lebwohl. |
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