If You Have Psoriasis, You Need to Know When You Need Your Doctor

istock 168542546 People with psoriasis know that their condition can ebb and flow. Sometimes their skin looks and feels relatively healthy and sometimes it displays red, scaly patches that itch, burn, and crust. A psoriasis diagnosis can feel disappointing. We get it. On the flip side, knowing the cause of your symptoms gives you a better opportunity to manage them. People with psoriasis may amass an impressive collection of remedies to manage symptoms. Still, there are times when a doctor needs to get involved, even in between routine dermatologic checkups. Here, we discuss some of them.

You May Need to Call your Doctor If

  • You develop new or worsening symptoms. At some point, most people with psoriasis get to know what is normal for their skin. They get to know what might trigger a flare-up and how to soothe irritation. If something new arises, such as severe itching where this symptom used to be mild, or an increase in the number of red patches on the skin, a doctor should be consulted. A thorough examination and review of the current treatment may reveal that a new approach to management is needed.
  • Your skin itches no matter what you do. Like worsening or new symptoms, a lack of improvement in itching, the most common symptom of psoriasis, can indicate a need for change. Several tweaks may be made to an existing treatment plan, such as switching topical medications or adding phototherapy to bolster cellular turnover.
  • You’re turning down social invites due to the appearance of your skin. Psoriasis is just as emotionally impactful as it is physically. When your skin demonstrates large or numerous red patches and you can’t stop itching, you may feel self-conscious around others. This is no way to live. To preserve a healthy social life, talk to your doctor about more effective ways to manage your psoriasis.
  • You’ve come across a new psoriasis remedy. We understand that psoriasis is a condition to be managed. Not all patients need to rely on medication or medications alone to decrease the instances of psoriasis flareups. However, when something new is being considered to add to the normal routine of management, it should be discussed with the doctor who has diagnosed and is treating your skin. This way, you can avoid unnecessary irritation caused by chemical or systemic reactions.

Dr. Smith and our team care about helping patients enjoy healthy, beautiful skin. To schedule a consultation to discuss psoriasis, call 337. 477.0011.

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