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What is it?
Psoriasis is a common skin condition where cells build up rapidly on the surface. This forms silvery scales and red patches that are itchy and sometimes painful. We treat all forms of psoriasis.
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Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.
Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while or going into remission. Treatments are available to help you manage symptoms. And you can incorporate lifestyle habits and coping strategies to help you live better with psoriasis.
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Symptoms
Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Common signs and symptoms include:
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Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
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Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
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Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
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Itching, burning or soreness
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Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
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Swollen and stiff joints
Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of the feet, scalp, face and palms.
Biologics treatment
These are a new class of treatment molecules designed to specifically block only a very small part of the immune system. Results are amazing. Usually, patients having suffered severe psoriasis most of their life have close to clear skin when they have regular biologic therapy.
This fascinating new group of drugs for the treatment of psoriasis are often referred to as the “biologics”. These are highly specialised, immune system medications, which selectively target special parts of the immune system such as TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor), IL-12, 23, 17A (interleukins) and PD-4 (phosphodiesterase) which play important roles in psoriasis.
These special medications are generally administered by needle with several new drugs currently under development. They are proving much safer than the systemic treatments traditionally used for treating psoriasis, however, very strict criteria are set by Medicare to determine which patients are eligible to receive these costly new drugs. Your dermatologist at Central Dermatology Clinic can determine whether these specialised medications are suitable and available to you under the current PBS medication subsidy scheme.