Psoriasis of the Feet: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Psoriasis is a condition that results when the turnover of skin cells happens faster than normal. August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, so today Dr. William Buffone of North Fork Podiatry/Three Village Podiatry is sharing what you need to know about this condition.

Causes: This autoimmune disease seems to run in families and is often more serious in people who have a weakened immune system. This includes those patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer or who have AIDS. Stress also seems to worsen the condition.

Symptoms: Patients with psoriasis usually have areas of reddened, thick skin with whitish-silver patches of dry, itchy skin.  This condition is most often found on the knees, bottoms of the feet, and elbows.

Home Care: To relieve the discomfort of psoriasis and maintain healthy skin, keep the affected area well-nourished. Oatmeal baths can provide relief and hypoallergenic moisturizer, when applied regularly, also helps. Light therapy, which is exposing the skin to UV-B light, has proven to be an effective treatment option. Talk to your podiatrist to determine if it can help provide relief for your psoriasis.

When to Visit a Podiatrist: If you have psoriasis on your feet, see a podiatrist to determine the origin of your symptoms. Psoriasis is often confused with contact dermatitis or severe athlete's foot, so if you have irritated, red feet that haven't responded to medical or home treatment, contact your podiatrist today.

Diagnosis and Treatment: After your podiatrist examines your feet and reviews your medical history, he or she may also take a tiny biopsy of the affected area to confirm a diagnosis.

The treatment option used depends on the severity of the condition. Milder cases of psoriasis can be treated with steroid creams that are applied topically. More severe cases may need whole-body treatment. Drugs that suppress the immune system help some patients, and certain biologic drugs including Enbrel and Humira are also prescribed for psoriasis.

While you can't prevent its development, you can avoid things that worsen your psoriasis. Contact the office of Dr. William Buffone of North Fork Podiatry/Three Village Podiatry today to schedule an appointment to discuss ways to control it at home.

You can reach Three Village Podiatry at (631) 474-3338, North Fork Podiatry (Southold) at (631) 765-6777 or North Fork Podiatry (Riverhead) at (631) 419-7107 or schedule your appointment online.