Many different types of rashes can irritate your skin and make it difficult to feel comfortable. When you’re dealing with skin that is itchy, red, and scaly, this might be due to a condition called psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy, scaly patches to form on the skin and can flare up at any time. This is a chronic disease that doesn’t have a cure, but there are many ways to manage your symptoms. It’s important to talk to your dermatologist about psoriasis so that you understand what the condition might look like and how it can be treated. 

Understanding Psoriasis 

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that can appear anywhere on the body but typically appears on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. When you’re dealing with a flare-up, you might find it difficult to function when you’re dealing with the pain from your psoriasis. While there is no cure for psoriasis, there are ways to manage your condition. It’s also important that you’re able to identify what might trigger an outbreak so that you can avoid these.  

Psoriasis can appear as a patchy, scaly rash that can feel itchy and sore. Rashes may appear in cycles and then disappear for long periods. When the skin is dry, you may also notice that it’s cracked and bleeding. When psoriasis is interfering with your daily life, it’s important that you see your dermatologist for treatment. 

Your dermatologist might recommend several options and you may want to try more than one treatment at a time. Common treatment options might include: 

• Topical corticosteroids 
• Retinoids 
• Salicylic acid 
• Coal tar 
• Light therapy 
• Wet dressings 

Contact Our Dermatologist Today 

Make sure you understand your psoriasis and how you can manage your symptoms. Contact our dermatologists at Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Boulder, Brighton, and Lafayette, CO, at (303) 604-1444 for more information about psoriasis and how you can get the best treatment for your condition.