Psoriasis is an all too common disorder that develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly begins to attack its own healthy cells. Individuals who suffer from psoriasis tend to develop symptoms like thickened skin, dry skin, itchiness and skin redness, and statistics show that about 40% of individuals experience symptoms on their feet. When psoriasis develops on the feet, it is known as palmoplantar psoriasis, and it can really impact your quality of life. In today’s blog, we explore how you and your foot care provider can work to help you manage or treat your palmoplantar psoriasis.
Managing Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Psoriasis on your feet can be a little more difficult to manage than if the condition were to develop in other common areas, like your arms or chest. Your feet are under regular pressure when you’re moving and standing, and the constant friction from your shoes can end up exacerbating symptoms. Moreover, because psoriasis can be aggravated by sweat, many people try to let their feet breath by wearing sandals or other breathable types of footwear. However, because psoriasis can lead to dry, cracked skin, any opening can pose a threat to germs and the onset of fungal infections, so you need to be mindful if you’re going to wear shoes that offer less natural protection than a standard shoe.
Palmoplantar psoriasis is best managed with the help of a foot specialist or dermatologist, as they will be able to recommend individualized tips based on your specific condition. That said, here’s a look at some of the more common treatment and management options for patients battling palmoplantar psoriasis:
Medications – Oral medications can work to suppress your overactive immune system, which can calm symptoms and psoriasis outbreaks. However, medications will not completely cure the condition.
Moisturizers – For individuals who want to avoid painful skin that can be prone to dryness and cracking, topical moisturizers can help to hydrate and soften the skin.
Topical Corticosteroid – Topical corticosteroid medications can reduce inflammation, redness and scaling associated with a psoriasis outbreak.
Light Therapy – Some people have found that phototherapy can help control symptoms of psoriasis. Using a specific machine, targeted UV-B rays are applied to certain areas of the skin to help fuel cellular processes and limit the impact of the immune system attack on the cells.
There is no cure for palmoplantar psoriasis, but working to control symptoms and manage outbreaks can help you to continue walking and moving with less discomfort, which is good for your feet and your whole body. For more information on immune system problems that can impact your feet, or for help overcoming a different foot or ankle issue, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.