Psoriasis is a chronic, scaly, thickened skin disorder with frequent remissions and recurrences. The skin of the scalp, elbows, knees, chest, back, arms, legs, toenails, fingernails, and fold between the buttocks may be involved.

The cause of psoriasis is unknown.

PREVENTION/CARE

1. There is no known prevention, but symptoms can be controlled.
2. Moving to a warmer climate might be beneficial. Severity increases with cold.
3. Maintain good skin hygiene with daily baths or showers.
4. Avoid harsh soaps.
5. Avoid skin injury, including harsh scrubbing, which can trigger new outbreaks.
6. Avoid skin dryness.
7. To reduce scaling, use nonprescription, waterless cleansers, as well as hair preparations containing coal tar (Zetar, T/Gel, Pentrax), emollients (Eucerin Plus lotion or cream, Lubriderm, Moisture Plus, Moisturel), or products containing cortisone (often prescription strength).
8. Expose the skin to moderate amounts of sunlight as often as possible. Avoid long periods in the sun to prevent sunburn.
9. Oatmeal baths may loosen scales. Use 1 cup of oatmeal to a tub of warm water.
10. Stress may increase outbreaks of psoriasis. Consider counseling to assist in lifestyle changes, coping, or any psychological problems caused by psoriasis.

Activity: There are no activity restrictions.

Diet: Eat a well-balanced diet. You may be instructed to try a gluten-free diet. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day. Avoid alcohol in your diet.

Medications: You may be prescribed the following types of medications:

1. Creams to rub on the skin:
   1. Ointments containing coal tar. These may stain clothing.
   2. Salicylic acid cream, anthralin cream, or vitamin D–like cream (calcipotriene).
   3. Topical cortisone creams may also be used for short periods of time.
2. Psoralen plus ultraviolet light (PUVA; combination of a medication and exposure to ultraviolet A light).
3. Combination of tar baths with ultraviolet B light.
4. Antihistamines to relieve itching.

You Have Been Prescribed: ___________________________________________________________________________

You Need to Take: _______________________________________________________________________________________

You Need to Notify the Office If:

1. You have an adverse reaction to or cannot tolerate any of the prescribed medications.
2. Symptoms recur after treatment. Notify your healthcare provider if during an outbreak, pustules erupt on the skin and/or are accompanied by fever, muscle aches, and fatigue.
3. New, unexplained symptoms develop.
4. Other: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________

For severe cases, you may be referred to a dermatologist (specialist for skin disorders).

RESOURCE

National Psoriasis Foundation

Suite 200

6415 SW Canyon Ct.

Portland, OR 97221

Phone: 800-723-9166

www.psoriasis.org