WHAT IS PSORIASIS?

Psoriasis is a common and treatable skin condition.  Dermatologists are experts in managing this condition. It affects approximately 2% of the population and is seen in children and adult patients. Psoriasis is a condition which can run in families.

Psoriasis commonly affects elbows and knees, however most parts of the body can be affected, including the scalp and the fingernails. The majority of patients  respond very well to the right treatment.

The treatment offered to you will vary depending on the type of psoriasis you have. Treatment also varies depending on the areas of skin involved. Some of the therapies our doctors may discuss with you are creams, phototherapy, tablets and injectable medications.

Melbourne City Dermatology has state of the art Waldman phototherapy cabinets available for UVB treatment for the whole body. We also have a dedicated machine for hands and feet. Phototherapy treatments are bulk billed by the doctors as the treatments usually involve several visits per week.

We recognise that psoriasis can have a big impact on how you feel about your skin and therefore dermatologists find this a very rewarding condition to treat. They always enjoy seeing patients improve. 

Patients often ask the doctors about diet, lifestyle and their effect on their skin. There are currently no clear clinical trials which show a benefit from restricting any particular food or food group. It is quite common to see psoriasis flare up when people feel under stress. It has been observed that excess alcohol consumption can make the condition worsen.

You may like to read more about psoriasis on these reputable websites. Please be aware that websites offering to cure psoriasis are best avoided. It is a condition that can fluctuate over a lifetime, and whilst it responds very well to treatment there is currently no known cure.

Australasian College of Dermatologists: 

Psoriasis Australia:  (http://psoriasisaustralia.org.au)

DermnetNZ  (https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/psoriasis)