Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts the body externally and internally, revealing itself in multiple organs including the skin, heart, muscles and bones.

Externally, the skin cells reproduce 7 times faster than normal skin, causing the skin to be thicker than normal. It is most easily recognized by red plaques with silvery scales. These plaques bleed easily when the scaling is scratched or picked off. Often these are on the arms, legs, hands, feet, elbows and knees.

Additionally, there is a long-term inflammation in the skin along with a mildly disrupted skin barrier which can often lead to chronic infection.

Suggestions To Help Psoriasis:

  • Use topical anti-inflammatory and barrier repair products
  • Use a pH-balanced, antimicrobial cleanser that will not strip the skin barrier
  • Maintain an anti-inflammatory/antioxidant diet
  • Avoid chocolate, alcohol and caffeine
  • Ensure your diet has high quality protein, such as eggs
  • Include “healthy” fats, such as omega-3 found in fish oil and almonds
  • Taking a daily multivitamin (with minerals), as well as oral Vitamin D (2,000 IU daily) and Vitamin B12 (1,000 IU daily) may be beneficial
  • Taking flax and borage oil supplements, as well as probiotics (acidophilus), may be beneficial
  • Moderate exercise is beneficial to reduce the immune imbalance (35 minutes, 5 times weekly)
  • Phototherapy may be beneficial
  • Harsh exfoliation, injury, or infection worsens visible spots.
  • If the plaques start to weep, you may need to begin taking antibiotics.

Psoriasis Treatments

Prescription treatment options such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressives, and biologics are also available. Schedule an appointment to speak to one of our medical providers to see what treatment options are best for you.

In your own words

Patient Testimonials

Anderson Ln.

Courtney Scamardo and Jamie! Both were very kind and helpful with my daughters’ acne. They spent a good amount of time with us, were kind, patient, and gave 110%. Most impressed, highly recommended! A++

- H.C.
34th & West

Shareen Coover is the practitioner I saw and she is absolutely wonderful. Her bedside manner is so lovely and she is extremely thorough when I go for my annual skin check I highly recommend this practice.

- L.M.
Anderson Ln.

I’m happy to say that Dr. Simi Cadmus and PA Courtney Scamardo are continuing Dr. Katherine Farady’s high standards of care and service. Good dermatologists are hard to find; I strongly recommend this entire practice.

- B.E.
Anderson Ln.

Friendly welcoming front desk staff. Calming space. I really liked Courtney as she was warm, friendly, and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend.

- R.A.
34th & West

I’ve been a patient at Central Austin Derm for many many years, and specifically a patient of Shirien for many of those years. I never feel like she is in a rush, even if she is having a busy day. She explains what she is doing, listens to what concerns me, and is warmly professional.

- C.T.
Anderson Ln.

“My first visit here was great. Everything from making the appointment to filling out new patient info was efficiently accomplished with a smile from the staff.”

- D.B.