Psoriasis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Psoriasis (so-RI-ah-sis) is a long-term skin disease. With psoriasis, skin cells grow faster and shed in just a few days, which is quicker than normal. This abnormal growth causes a buildup of skin cells and forms large plaques (patches of scales). Psoriasis most often forms on the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. The blood supply in the skin may also be affected and cause redness and inflammation (swelling). It is more likely to occur if you have a weak immune system or another family member has psoriasis. Certain conditions, such as infections, certain medicines, stress, or skin damage may cause your psoriasis to flare-up.
  
  
• The signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually depend on the type of psoriasis you have. Most people have red, raised, patches covered with silvery scales on their skin that tends to bleed when removed. Skin biopsy and blood tests may be done to help diagnose psoriasis. Treatment is aimed at clearing the skin of plaques and scales and decreasing symptoms. You may be treated with phototherapy, medicines such as steroids, or surgery. With treatment, such as medicine and phototherapy, complications may be prevented and your psoriasis may be controlled.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment for psoriasis may have unpleasant side effects. Some medicines may cause burning, redness, irritation or stinging of skin, drowsiness, high blood pressure, or kidney problems. Without treatment, psoriasis may cause severe itching, easy bleeding, swelling, and infection. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your skin disease, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

You may have one or more of the following:

• Topicals: Topicals are medicines like ointments, creams, and pastes that are put on your skin.
  
  
  • Anthralin: This medicine decreases swelling and excess skin cells that form scales.
    
    
  • Moisturizers: These soothe your skin by keeping it moist and preventing skin dryness.
    
    
  • Salicylic acid: This peeling agent helps decrease scaling of the skin and scalp.
    
    
  • Steroids: This medicine may be given to decrease inflammation.
    
    
  • Tape or occlusive dressings: These are tapes or bandages that already have medicine on them. They are placed tightly over flare-ups and are left in place for 1 to 7 days.
    
    
  • Tar preparations: These medicines decrease your itching and help rashes heal. These may come in the form of shampoos, creams, or bath oils.
    
    
  • Vitamin D and retinoids: These are vitamin-based creams that are used to clear plaques.
  
  
• Systemics: These medicines are used to treat serious types of psoriasis and may be given orally or through your IV. Systemic medicines affect the entire body and regulate the immune system.
  
  
• Other medicines: The following medicines may also be given to ease your symptoms:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
    
    
  • Anti-itching medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to help keep your skin from itching. This medicine may be given in an IV, as a shot, by mouth, or as a skin lotion. Sometimes this medicine can make you sleepy.
    
    
  • NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.

Tests:

You may need one or more of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Joint x-ray: This is a picture of the bones and tissues in your joints. Joints are the places in your body where two bones meet. You may be given dye as a shot into your joint before the x-ray. This dye will help your joint show up better on the x-ray. A joint x-ray with dye is called an arthrogram.

Treatment options:

You may need one or more of the following:

• Phototherapy: You may need ultraviolet (UV) light treatments if your psoriasis is very bad. Your skin may be exposed to a bright UV light for the period of time your caregiver prescribes.
  
  
• Psychotherapy: This helps you manage or control stress by learning to relax, such as by deep breathing exercises or meditation. Biofeedback and muscle relaxation exercises may also help you relax. Your caregiver may include your family or people that are close to you during these meetings.
  
  
• Surgery:
  
  
  • Cryosurgery: During cryosurgery, a chemical called liquid nitrogen is put on the area to be removed. This freezes and kills the tissue. The dead tissue later falls off. Once the tissue thaws, the area may hurt and swell for a short time. You may need cryosurgery more than once.
    
    
  • Dermatome shaving: Caregivers may remove some or all of the layers of your skin affected with psoriasis. This is done by shaving the skin using a knife called a dermatome.
    
    
  • Laser surgery: A narrow beam of light is used to kill the overreactive cells that are causing the scaling and inflammation (swelling).

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Psoriasis (Inpatient Care)