New Therapies for Psoriasis, A Common Skin Disorder
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disorder that leads to red, inflamed scaly areas on the skin. Plaque psoriasis, the most common form, is typically characterized by scaling plaques on the elbows and knees, scalp and groin. However, psoriasis can occur on almost any surface of the body, including the nails, trunk, extremities or genitals. Although psoriasis is not life threatening, effective therapy can dramatically reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and impart a tremendous improvement in quality of life. Patients from Mountain Lakes, North Caldwell, Westfield and communities throughout northern New Jersey have made Dermatology Consultants of Short Hills their choice for psoriasis treatment.
The latest psoriasis treatment regimens often include topical treatments, laser treatments, light therapy and oral or injectable medications. Topical psoriasis creams include topical corticosteroids, tars, topical vitamin D or tazarotene. Light treatments include phototherapy with ultraviolet B or excimer laser. Oral or injectable medications include soriatane, methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira).
Excimer laser treatments are one of the exciting new therapies for psoriasis. This laser device delivers specific wavelengths of light to affected areas of skin, reducing the redness, scaling and inflammation. Treatments are quick, painless, and can reduce the amount of medication needed to control your psoriasis. Treatment usually requires 10 to 15 sessions with the excimer laser to achieve noticeable improvement. One major advantage of excimer laser treatment: remission times are generally much longer than other psoriasis treatments achieve. View our “before and after” photo gallery of psoriasis treatments to see the results.
Because psoriasis is a chronic condition, and due to the increasing number of psoriasis treatments, long-term care by a board certified dermatologist is often necessary to develop a treatment regimen that fits your lifestyle while minimizing side effects.
If you live in Verona, South Orange, Maplewood, or anywhere in northern New Jersey, and are interested in treating your psoriasis, please e-mail or call Dermatology Consultants of Short Hills at 973-232-6245 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Richie Lin.