Psoriasis can be worse during winter
By Kristin Buehner, Of The Globe Gazette
One of the challenges of winter weather is the drying effect it has on the skin. For people with psoriasis — a chronic skin disorder characterized by inflamed skin lesions topped with silvery white scales — the threat can be even worse.
Cold winter weather and dry indoor heat can cause psoriasis symptoms to flare or worsen, the American Academy of Dermatology reports."Psoriasis is a fairly common condition," said Mason City dermatologist Dr. James Karkos. "
There is no cure for it, just ways to control it."Its name is taken from the Greek word for "itch."More than 6 million Americans have psoriasis. There is a hereditary component to the condition that might act as a trigger factor for it, Karkos said.
Environmental factors such as physical trauma to the skin, infections (such as strep throat) and stress can also trigger the onset of pso-riasis.It is not contagious. Psoriasis is caused by the unusually rapid growth of skin cells that can build up on the skin's surface, usually around the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Lesions can be pain-ful and itchy and can crack and bleed."Some patients are covered with it, but it doesn't itch and they just leave it," Karkos said. "For other people, even a small amount is a problem."
Treatments range from low-risk to high-risk methods and include:
--Topical medications to treat mild to moderate psoriasis, often prescribed by a dermatologist at the first signs of the condition. Topical medications include cortisone; calcipotriene, a synthetic Vitamin D; methotrexate; prescription vitamin A-related drugs called retinoids and coal tar formu-lations.-- Phototherapy, or ultraviolet light treatment, is reserved for moderate to severe cases of psoria-sis that do not respond to topical therapy. This method, which is available at Mercy Medical Cen-ter-North Iowa, has no internal side effects but can cause premature aging and sunburn, Karkos said.
-- Another option involves combining the ultraviolet light treatment with pills, such as psoralen, that are more effective in treating psoriasis but make the patient sensitive to light and can trigger skin cancer, Karkos said.
-- Systemic medications (taken orally or by injection) treat the entire body and are often reserved for patients whose psoriasis is not responsive to topical medications or phototherapy.
-- New biologic treatments that target the precise immune responses involved in the development of psoriasis are used to treat moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. They are more expensive and may increase the risk of lymphoma, Karkos said.
One of the best things a person can do in winter is to moisturize more and avoid things that will dry out your skin, Karkos said.
Reach Kristin Buehner at kristin.buehner@globegazette.com.
