Can Psoriasis be cured? | 22 Square Clinic
"Doctor, did I catch psoriasis from someone?"
This is one of the most common questions doctors hear in the examination room. Many people feel anxious when thick red patches with white, dandruff-like scales begin appearing on their elbows, knees, scalp, or sometimes spreading across almost the entire body. Some even avoid social interactions out of fear that others might think it is contagious.
However, a very important truth is that psoriasis is not a contagious disease. It cannot be spread through skin-to-skin contact, shaking hands, sharing personal items, swimming together, or even close proximity. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by immune system abnormalities combined with genetic and environmental factors. Although there is currently no 100% cure,
the good news is that we can now control the condition so effectively that many patients are able to return to a lifestyle almost identical to that of healthy individuals.
What causes psoriasis?
Although psoriasis has a genetic foundation, flare-ups are often triggered by various factors, such as:
Stress: Many patients notice their condition flaring up during periods of heavy workloads, sleep deprivation, or accumulated stress.
Infections: Especially throat infections caused by Streptococcus, which are frequently found in guttate psoriasis.
Certain Medications: Such as lithium, beta-blockers, and certain antimalarial drugs.
Skin Injuries: Scratching, picking at rashes, getting tattoos, or skin abrasions can trigger new psoriatic lesions in those areas.
Immune System Dysfunction: Normally, our skin takes about 28 to 30 days to shed and renew. However, in psoriasis patients, the immune system signals skin cells to multiply abnormally fast—reducing the cycle from about a month down to just 3 to 7 days. Because skin cells are produced too quickly for the body to shed them, they accumulate into the thick red patches with silvery-white scales that we see on the skin.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
Red patches with silvery-white scales: This is the most classic presentation, commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
Scalp psoriasis: Often mistaken for dandruff, but it features thicker scales, more intense itching, and may extend beyond the hairline.
Nail psoriasis: Occurs in about 50% of patients. Symptoms may include pitting (tiny dents in the nails), thickening of the nails, and separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Guttate psoriasis: Most common in children and teenagers, appearing as numerous small, drop-shaped spots scattered across the body.
Psoriatic arthritis: May cause joint pain, swelling, sausage-like swelling of entire fingers or toes, and morning stiffness in the joints. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent joint damage.
Can psoriasis be cured?
This is the most frequently asked question in the examination room. The answer is that there is currently no 100% cure.
However, this does not mean you will have rashes for the rest of your life, because the goals of modern treatment are to:
Control inflammation
Clear or nearly clear the rash
Prevent flare-ups
Minimize the impact on quality of life
Today, this can be achieved significantly better than in the past.
What are the topical treatments for psoriasis?
Topical Steroids: Help reduce redness, itching, and skin thickening. They are the most commonly used medications.
Calcineurin Inhibitors: Ideal for sensitive areas with thin skin, such as the face, around the eyes, armpits, and groin.
Moisturizers: Although not direct medications, they play a crucial role in reducing itching, burning, dryness, and cracking of the plaques.
What should you do if topical treatments aren't enough?
Narrowband UVB Phototherapy:
Helps reduce skin inflammation and is suitable for patients with widespread rashes in multiple areas.
Oral Medications:
Mostly prescribed for moderate to severe cases, such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, and acitretin.
Modern Treatment: Biologics:
Over the past 10 to 15 years, psoriasis treatment has changed dramatically with the advent of “biologics.” These medications target the specific inflammatory molecules that cause the disease, such as TNF-alpha, IL-17, and IL-23, allowing for much more precise control than traditional drugs. Many patients experience more than a 90% clearance of their rashes.
Real Clinical Experience: From Widespread Rashes to Skin That Is Almost Back to Normal
A real patient case under my care
I have had the opportunity to care for hundreds of psoriasis patients. One of the cases that left a deep impression on me involved a working-age patient who had suffered from psoriasis for many years. When they first came to see me, the patient had thick red patches and a large amount of scales on their scalp, torso, arms, and legs.
They had tried various forms of treatment, including both topical and oral medications, but the condition kept recurring. What affected them the most was not the itching, but their confidence in everyday life.
They shared with me that they did not dare wear short-sleeved shirts, couldn’t bring themselves to go swimming, were misunderstood by people around them as having a contagious disease, and felt stressed every time someone asked, “What did you have an allergic reaction to?”
After thoroughly assessing the severity of the disease and conducting pre-treatment screenings, I designed a treatment plan using “biologics.” After just a few months of treatment, the results were clear: the rashes gradually subsided, the scales disappeared, and the skin returned to almost normal.
One day in the examination room, he said to me, “Doctor, I can finally wear short-sleeved shirts again.” This sentence might sound ordinary, but for many psoriasis patients, it means getting their quality of life back. Of course, individual results may vary, and all treatments must be under medical supervision. However, this case reflects that we now have much more advanced tools for treating psoriasis than in the past.
Psoriasis affects more than just the skin.
What many people do not realize is that psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the entire body. Patients have an increased risk of developing various conditions, such as:
Psoriatic Arthritis
Type 2 Diabetes
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Coronary Artery Disease
Abdominal Obesity
How to care for yourself when you have psoriasis?
Apply moisturizer regularly
Avoid picking or scratching the rashes
Get enough sleep
Reduce stress
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Reduce alcohol consumption
See your doctor regularly as scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is psoriasis contagious?
Can psoriasis be cured?
Is psoriasis cancer?
Is psoriasis caused by food?
Can psoriasis occur only on the scalp?
Do I need to use topical medications for the rest of my life?
A Message from Dr. Bank
If there is one thing I want everyone to remember from this article, it is this:
“Psoriasis is not a contagious disease, and patients should not be stigmatized or misunderstood.”
Today, psoriasis treatments have advanced far beyond those of the past. From topical medications, phototherapy, and oral drugs, to biologics, these options can help many patients regain their confidence and return to living their lives fully.
If you have a chronic red rash with thick scales, itching, or suspect you might have psoriasis, do not let the condition compromise your quality of life.
An accurate diagnosis and early treatment can significantly transform both your skin health and your overall quality of life.
22 Square Clinic : The Home of Skin Expertise.
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