Plaque Psoriasis
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis. The name comes from the dry, raised skin patches covered with gray or silver scales that appear on patients with this chronic disease.
What is plaque psoriasis?
Plaque psoriasis is a chronic skin disease recognized by the plaques it creates on the skin. These raised red patches are covered in a buildup of dead skin cells called scale. Plaques often itch or hurt. Though they can show up anywhere, they are commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, torso, and lower back. The patches vary in color, depending on each patient’s skin color.
Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes new skin cells to grow faster than normal, causing the buildup of plaques. Psoriasis isn’t contagious and can’t be spread by touch or close contact.
Did you Know:
The disease can occur at any age, but Crohn’s disease is most often diagnosed in adolescents and adults between the ages of 20 and 30.
Plaque psoriasis symptoms
There are several types of plaque psoriasis, including small plaque psoriasis, large plaque psoriasis, unstable plaque psoriasis, and chronic stable plaque psoriasis.
Symptoms vary depending on each patient and the type of plaque psoriasis, but may include:
- Raised, discolored plaques with a white or silvery surface
- Cracks (fissures)
- Itchiness, irritation, or pain
- Bleeding
Though the cause of plaque psoriasis isn’t fully known, it seems to be hereditary or can be triggered by a skin injury, weather, sunburn, infection, medication reaction, stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, and certain foods.
Diagnosing plaque psoriasis
If you think you may have plaque psoriasis, make an appointment with your doctor to get properly diagnosed. Treatment can help alleviate the symptoms associated with this disease.
A dermatologist will diagnose plaque psoriasis by talking to you about your medical history and examining your skin. Because psoriasis can sometimes mimic the appearance of eczema and other skin diseases, a biopsy may be necessary to inspect your skin cells under a microscope. Allergy tests and blood tests are also sometimes used to diagnose this condition.
If you have psoriasis, you also have a higher chance of developing other conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, eye conditions, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions, or other autoimmune diseases.
How infusion therapy can help treat plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a chronic illness without a cure, though patients often cycle between healing and flare-ups. Proper and consistent treatment can help minimize flare-ups and their associated symptoms.
Treatment options include topical medications, light therapy, systemic drugs, and infusion therapy for biologic drugs. An anti-inflammatory diet can also help control flares.
If your physician determines that you may benefit from receiving infusion treatments to alleviate your symptoms, FlexCare Infusion Centers is here for you.
Getting Started With Infusion Therapy
If you have been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, your physician can prescribe infusion therapy as part of your treatment plan and can easily send us a referral for you. If you have any questions, you can also contact us directly. We look forward to helping you soon.
How To Switch
Physician referral & paperwork
The first step is always a referral from your physician for infusion therapy services, including the specific medication and dosage for your condition.
Insurance approval & scheduling
We’ll work with your insurance company and your physician’s office to verify insurance approval for infusions and schedule your first appointment, typically with one week.
Experience infusion therapy re-imagined
We designed our stand-alone infusion centers with patient comfort in mind, including heated massage chairs, streaming services, and a well-stocked snack bar.