Psoriasis Treatment in Knoxville
Don’t Hide Your Psoriasis – Fight It!
Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disease that impacts more than 7.5 million Americans. As uncomfortable as the itching, burning, and pain of psoriasis plaques are, you may feel even more uncomfortable by the looks and stares you get from others when you have a flare.
You shouldn’t have hit hide your skin under layers of clothing – especially during our hot Eastern Tennessee summers! With help from Dr. Tonya Baker of Rheumatologix in Knoxville, you can better manage your psoriasis and break your favorite tanks, tees, and shorts out of the closet. As a top psoriasis specialist and leading rheumatologist, Dr. Baker can develop a personalized care plan for you to keep flares under control, identify potential triggers, and help prevent your disease from progressing into a more serious condition.
What are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis occurs when your immune system begins to attack healthy skin cells, and in response, your body starts to speed up skin cell growth. The extra cells begin to stack up on the surface of the skin, creating raised, red patches of skin – or plaques – that are covered with thick, silvery scales. Plaques can pop up anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the knees, elbows, and scalp.
Additional signs of psoriasis can include:
- Dry, cracked skin
- Itching, burning, or soreness
- Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
- Swollen and stiff joints
Other types of psoriasis besides plaque psoriasis include nail psoriasis, guttate psoriasis (small lesions on the extremities commonly caused by a bacterial infection), inverse psoriasis (rashes on the breast, groin or buttocks triggered by fungal infections), pustular psoriasis (pus-filled lesions on the hands and feet), and erythrodermic psoriasis (a red, peeling rash that covers the body).
It’s important to know that psoriasis can put you at risk for other complications, such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and depression. Thirty percent of patients living with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints, if their condition is left untreated.
How Does a Rheumatologist Treat Psoriasis?
Because psoriasis is a lifelong condition that can threaten your overall health, managing the disease rather than just treating the symptoms with topical creams or ointments can slow or even stop its progression. Your best chance at achieving possible remission is to work with a rheumatologist who is an expert in diagnosing and managing autoimmune disorders.
Depending on the stage and severity of your psoriasis, your care plan may include topical therapy, light therapy, oral or injected medications, and alternative medicine. Dr. Baker will also discuss lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress management, that can help control flares and identify triggers, such as weather changes, certain medications, and infections, that can worsen your condition.
A Psoriasis Doctor Near Me in Knoxville
Dr. Baker’s expertise in treating psoriasis and her direct-pay approach to care ensure you receive the highest-quality care on your busy schedule. By having a dedicated rheumatologist by your side throughout your psoriasis journey, you can ease the pain and itch of flares and bring your breakouts to a halt.
To schedule your consultation or to become a Rheumatologix care member, contact our rheumatology practice in Knoxville at 865.995.7006.