Currently 4% of women enrolled in the Illinois Womens Health Registry suffer from this skin condition that causes itchy or sore red patches of skin with silvery scales.

Psoriasis occurs when the normal life cycle of skin cells is accelerated by the immune system, causing buildup of dead skin cells, which form the thick, silvery scale-like appearance.  There are several types of psoriasis, the most common of which include Plaque Psoriasis, causing the red, scaly lesions; Scalp Psoriasis; Nail Psoriasis, causing abnormal nail growth; and Psoriatic Arthritis, causing stiffness and progressive joint damage.  For many people, psoriasis is just a nuisance, however patients usually seek medical advice if their psoriasis causes discomfort and pain, interferes with daily tasks, or causes concern about the appearance of skin.  There is no cure for psoriasis, but many treatments exist to interrupt the overproduction of skin cells and to provide significant relief.

Resources at Northwestern for Psoriasis:

Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Department of Dermatology offers state-of-the-art treatment options for dermatology conditions such as psoriasis.  The department also provides cosmetic treatments to patients with various dermatological symptoms.  Treatment options include laser surgery, microdermabrasion, camouflage makeup, skin peels and phototherapy (PUVA).

http://www.nmh.org/nmh/specialtiesandservices/medicalspecialties/dermatology/main.htm

The Department of Dermatology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine runs a Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic on Tuesday mornings.  The clinic is headed by Prashant Singri, MD from dermatology and by Eric Ruderman, MD from Rheumatology.  The clinic is ideal for patients with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the clinic at 312-695-8106.

Northwestern Physicians/Researchers Specializing in Psoriasis Treatment:
The Department of Dermatology at Feinberg School of Medicine has active areas of laboratory and clinical outcomes research.  Nearly all of the clinical faculty in the department serve as principle investigators in clinical trials.  Dr. Amy Paller, Chair of the Northwestern Department of Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics conducts laboratory research related to Psoriasis and other hyper-proliferative skin disorders.  Also conducting research involving psoriasis is Dr. Prashant Singri, head of the Psoriasis clinic.

IWHR Highlighted Researcher
Dr. Anne Laumann, MBChB, MRCP (UK), FAAD is an Associate Professor of Dermatology in the Feinberg School of Medicine.  She is an active member of many dermatology organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Society of Investigative Dermatology, the Scleroderma Foundation, the Vitiligo Foundation, and the Psoriasis Foundation.  Dr. Laumann is the principal investigator on a number of clinical trials related to Raynaud’s phenomenon, psoriasis, and itching. Currently she is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the use of different medications for the treatment of active secondary Raynaud’s disease. She is the local principal investigator in a study studying the outcome and safety of the use of infliximab and golimumab in patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.  This study is a multicenter, prospective, 8-year surveillance study involving patients on biologics.

Useful Links and Resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/psoriasis.html
http://www.psoriasis.org/

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Comments

I just found your blog while searching Google for articles about Psoriasis. This is an awful skin problem to have and it is very difficult to find good related posts. Well done for having such an informative blog. keep up the good work.

psoriasis is a skin ailment to be avoided at all costs...if you do get it then seek treatment as soon as humanely possible because believe me when i say it is difficult to get rid of

Here's some interesting statistics regarding psoriasis in women: The emotional and social effects of psoriasis cut a deeper path through women's social and emotional lives than men's. an analysis of survey data from nearly 5,000 patients, showed that 20 percent of women said psoriasis is a very large problem in their everyday lives, compared to 12 percent of men. Thanks, Jennifer

I am wondering if psoriasis is related in any way to acne? I know that diet is an essential factor in both, but are there genetic or other common factors that would predispose someone to both? Thanks so much!

I have been dealing with Psoriasis for over five years now, and I have to tell you it's very embarrassing. The fact that it's in my ear lobes and a bit deeper makes it hard to handle. Fortunately, my friends and family are very understanding of my condition, and after getting some medical cream it goes away. Unfortunately, I have to continuously apply it to my ears every day or else it will grow back. Hopefully they find a cure. I sure need it!

Psoriasis can be very hard to deal with , both mentally and curing it.There needs to be more awareness spread to get the word out,separating myths from facts. Wouldn't it great for people who have no clue about how to deal with Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is one of those conditions that people are almost afraid of. A lack of understanding and education leaves some people afraid that it is contagious etc. Good article, well written.

A picture speaks a thousand words as they say. It is worth noting first of all that psoriasis is not curable at the moment. However, there are four distinct ways to successfully treat it and ameliorate its effect. These are:- 1. Topical therapies: Treatments that are applied directly on to the affected skin. 2. Phototherapies: Ultraviolet light therapies. 3. Conventional systemic therapies: Medicines that are taken as tablets or injections and work on the body as a whole. 4. Biologic therapies: Medications which modify the body’s immune responses. These drugs are given as injections or infusions. Without going into a detailed description of each treatment, the reader should make a search for each type of treatment in turn and see which they feel is most relevant to their problem. Like a lot of allergy motivated problems, it is about management more than anything else and your physician should be able to point you in the right direction.

I think it is one of the worst parts of psoriasis: trying to sleep. I have insomnia too, the itching doesn’t help. The itching of course leads to scratching, and this to bleeding I prefer taking a bath at night, that way, at least I get to clean the flares and scalp, and then I apply my lotions, creams, etc. I feel a bit better. Anyway, I continue to struggle at night with this… I think relaxation might also help to have a better sleep. Good luck to you all with this.

Hi, a good friend of mine has psoriatic arthritis and she is overweight. Can she treat arthritis separately from psoriasis or and maybe get rid of the arthritis?

It really is hard to find an article in the internet that comprehensively deals with psoriasis. It took me this long to realize, it doesn't even have a cure. Thanks for the article, Michelle.

I have been suffering from psoriasis for more than 20 years. This irritating disease flares up now and then. Sometimes it is caused by stress but I strongly believe it has got to do with what we eat. Or rather what NOT to eat. I recently read a report that eating black garlic can help cures psoriasis and I have just started consuming it on a daily basis. Will it work? I don't know but if it does I will let you know too.

I think there is a lot of people out there that do not pay a lot of attention to their skin, or think anything about skin care at all. I just read where skin bleaching, and people attempting to lighten their skin color is increasing all over the world, including places like China, Japan, and India. In Jamaica it has become such a problem that the government started an educational campaign that basically says if you are going to do it then learn how to do it naturally instead of using potentially dangerous skin bleaching chemicals. I know anything to do with skin color is going to be a highly sensitive issues but I think these people are doing it for all the wrong reasons.

I've had to deal with psoriasis for almost over a decade now, and sometimes it truly irritates me (no pun intended). Back on topic, it can be frustrating to be uncomfortable with even the simplest things such as sitting down in front of the computer or sleeping. I've managed to cope by buying high quality ergonomic chairs and really nice mattresses, but those only help to a certain extent, and that's only in my home. Anyone have any suggestions? I went to read reviews of the seemingly best chairs for me, but be warned, no matter how expensive they can only help so much.

Hi thanks for writing about this. I enjoy visiting your blog, and have recommended that some of my friends pay you a visit as well. keep up the good work!

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Psoriasis has no known cause. The tendency toward developing psoriasis is inherited in genes. Psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis gets better and worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin). Psoriasis is controllable with medication. Psoriasis is currently not curable.

Thank you for this wonderful guide. It was nice read. I like the information which you have provided in this article. I found them useful and helpful. I appreciate your effort which you have put in this article. Keep up the good work continue. Have a nice day, be happy.

I support you 100%.. Im a psoriasis sufferer myself though mild but still uncomfortable having it.. My Psoriasis come and go..They said it has something to do with the stress in life...

Any skin condition is not nice but psoriasis is particularly horrible. Im a long time sufferer and would do anything to get rid of it for good. Unfortunately nothing I have tried has worked and I feel like I will never get rid of it . Can anyone give me any advice?

Psoriasis is one of those conditions that makes you think, 'Haven't they fund a a cure for that yet?" Lots of treatments but no cures.

I understand that to date a cure for psoriasis does not exist. However, I wonder if research has been conducted to find a way to prevent or minimize psoriasis outbreaks. Cure and prevention are 2 different things.

I keep a heap fresh vegetables and fruits included in my everyday diet since they are filled with vitamins. Now why do you wish vitamins? Because they are essential both for your health and skin condition. It is found that Vitamins are effective to heal skin aging and keeps you skin well protected against external and internal harmful parts that constantly makes an attempt to ruin your skin. Vitamin D is one in all the foremost dedicated warriors that help your skin to remain protected under its defend. Now here I will speak concerning totally different sorts of skin conditions and the way Vitamin D will solve these issue

I wonder if laser treatment is available for psoriasis?

I have a friend who suffers, stress seems to bring it out and he says a lot of food intolerances to. Refined flour seems to set him off.

Refined flour is my problem too. I suffer a lot form this problem. What can I do?

My girlfriend is having these symptoms last few days, it was started when we got back from the trip in forest. Do we need to visit a doctor or we can try to heal these wounds at home? EDITOR's REPLY: If it doesn't heal quickly, she may have gotten into something like poison oak or poison ivy and she may need to see a MD.

Many of our readers always want more information on Psoriasis. Lots of these symptoms sometimes go unnoticed in the beginning. Maintaining a clean diet is a great start

Diagnosing this skin condition is simple. If the tests and exam are conclusive, you may be diagnosed with Psoriasis rosea. One issue that is totally different between people is that light-weight skinned folks expertise the patches as pinkish, while darker-skinned individuals expertise patches that are additional grey, brown or typically black. If the patches dry out, it can cause an increase in what's already classified as severe itching. However, repeated wetting and drying will cause your skin to dry out quicker.

Good read. I am of the opinion that skin problems, blemishes including pimples/acne etc will continue to be conditions that the current and future generations will suffer from, more and more. The reason being that as we use more and more pesticides and other chemicals on our food and unwittingly contaminate out water supplies, Dermatologists will be a very demanding occupation. Well any thing in the health field will be demanding. Should we be looking at more natural remedies?

I think skin problem is very big issue and it is also complicated. i recently developed of of the sudden a skin rash that made my life miserable. i saw my doctor and he asked me to do a blood test. i did and everything was fine.but my skin started to get bad. i developed rashes and i could not stop itching. I still have the itchiness although the rash has stopped. i am seeing a dermatologist next month to see what cause my skin rush.It is a new thing for me . i never had this type of condition before. Please share if you have the same issue and what did you do to treat it.

Psoriasis runs in my family and has really been a struggle.

My nephew suffered with a fairly significant bout of Psoriasis as a youngster and it caused both he and his family a lot of stress. With the assistance of his family doctor, he managed to keep it fairly well under control. He is now an adult and shows little signs of ever suffering from Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a effecting not only the skin but also the psychology. The disease is a chronic one that sometimes need months to years to get resolved.

I have suffered from skin disease for 5 months, many drugs I have tried but not cured, I finally went to a dermatologist and everything is OK

This is not only a condition that affects women psychologically speaking, but also men (at least in my point of view). The fact of knowing that you have this skin condition makes you feel uncomfortable. Despite of this, searching for a good physician is always the best bet.

My workmate had psoriasis and the only season of the year she gets excited is summer because warm weather sometimes spells relief from psoriasis but it doesn't really goes away.

I either have psoriasis or eczema, but i dont have health insurance (american) What are some things i can avoid to help this problem, and what are some things i can do to treat it? over the counter and natural treatments, soaps and shampoo's. ANYTHING!

My sister suffered from psoriasis and I recommended taking a nutritional supplement for it. I took them when I was looking for an acne treatment. I definitely think there's something in using vitamins to clear your skin rather that chemical skin products.

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