Psoriasis
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA
Psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by scaly, itchy, and thickened plaques that form in various areas of the body. When psoriasis occurs, the body creates new skin cells too quickly and is unable to shed the old ones properly, causing the cells to build up. About 2% of the world’s population suffers from this condition. (1) Psoriasis has a large genetic component with heritability being estimated between 60-90%. (2)
Dr. Paul Yamauchi, is the President, Medical Director, and a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center. Dr. Yamauchi has established himself as a pioneer in the field of dermatology, dedicating himself to improving the lives of his patients and making innovative dermatological discoveries. He has participated in the publications and clinical trials of numerous areas of research and has previously served on the Medical Board for the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Scientific Advisory Council for the National Eczema Association. Dr. Yamauchi is dedicated to helping his patients manage their psoriasis symptoms, offering only the most advanced methods available.
To book your psoriasis treatment with Dr. Yamauchi, please call our Santa Monica office at (310) 829-4104 or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible.
Contents
About Psoriasis
There are multiple types of psoriasis that can negatively impact one’s quality of life. Understanding the type of psoriasis each patient has is imperative for strategizing the most effective method for alleviating symptoms. No matter what type of psoriasis you have, Dr. Yamauchi can help you find relief!
Plaque-Type Psoriasis
The most common type of psoriasis is plaque-type psoriasis. This type of psoriasis makes up about 90% of cases. (1) Plaque-type psoriasis causes raised, inflamed, itchy scales. It is common for this type of condition to appear on the torso, limbs, and even scalp.
Inverse Psoriasis
Also called flexural or intertriginous psoriasis, inverse psoriasis primarily affects areas where there is more friction, such as the armpits. This type of psoriasis tends to show up as smooth and moist red patches.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is a type of condition that primarily affects children and young adults. This type of psoriasis often appears as small, red spots on the skin and is commonly preceded by some kind of infection like strep throat. Patients who experience this kind of psoriasis are at risk of later developing plaque psoriasis. (2)
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that causes pus-filled bumps, often due to an overactive immune system. These bumps can occur on the soles of the feet, palms, or fingertips, or generalized and appear across the entire body. Generalized pustular psoriasis is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or chills and symptoms should be addressed immediately. (2)
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is a condition where up to 90% of one’s total body surface is inflamed, red, and peeling. This condition can develop from any other variation of psoriasis. Patients who experience erythrodermic psoriasis should seek emergency treatment. (1)
Causes of Psoriasis
While the exact cause of psoriasis is difficult to define, psoriasis is associated with many different triggers such as genetic predispositions or a dysfunctional or overactive immune system. Patients may find that their psoriasis occurs after infections such as strep throat. Stress, certain medications, or even dry or cold climates may also be potential triggers for certain kinds of psoriasis. No matter the cause, Dr. Yamauchi is determined to help his patients address their symptoms and find relief from psoriasis.
To find out the cause of your psoriasis and how to manage it, please call our Santa Monica office at (310) 829-4104 or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Benefits of Psoriasis Treatment
There are many benefits of starting a treatment plan to help manage and alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. A treatment plan can help minimize the amount of flaking, itching, and redness across the skin. Treatments can also help prevent any discomfort caused by lesions and can prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Procedures designed to target more severe cases can help regulate the immune system, potentially decreasing inflammation. Alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis can also help benefit patients mentally, restoring confidence and improving the self-esteem of patients. Patients with psoriasis are more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety, however, anxiety symptoms improved in patients who underwent treatments. (1) Dr. Yamauchi fully tailors each treatment to each patient’s unique situation.
To learn about the benefits of the various treatments offered at Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center, please visit Dr. Yamauchi’s blog. To learn more about how a psoriasis treatment can benefit you, please call our Santa Monica office at (310) 829- 4104 or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you with helpful information.
Personal Consultation
Each patient is asked to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yamauchi before their treatment. This consultation allows Dr. Yamauchi to get to know each patient and important details about their individual psoriasis experience. At this private consultation, Dr. Yamauchi will examine the affected areas to determine what kind of psoriasis is present. From there, he will strategize a treatment plan, working to find the most effective solution possible to provide relief to each patient.
The cost of the treatment will also be discussed at this time, as well as any preparation and recovery instructions necessary for the personalized treatment. Patients are encouraged to bring up any questions or concerns they may have regarding psoriasis or their treatment during their consultation; we want to make sure each patient feels fully comfortable and informed before moving forward with a treatment plan.
To schedule your consultation, please call our Santa Monica office at (310) 829-4104 or fill out our contact form.
Psoriasis Treatments
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that often requires patients to commit to long-term treatment plans because there is no current cure. However, with Dr. Yamauchi’s advanced techniques, many bothersome symptoms can be successfully managed. Each patient’s treatment plan and strategy will be determined at their consultation with Dr. Yamauchi after he evaluates their unique situation. Treatment approaches for psoriasis are often based on the severity of the experienced symptoms, the impact on quality of life, and how widespread the affected area is. (1)
There are multiple types of treatment options to help manage symptoms of psoriasis, from mild to severe. Each type of treatment is designed to target different symptoms and each has its unique benefits.
Topical Creams
Topical creams are commonly utilized to target more mild cases of psoriasis. These creams can be applied directly to the skin to help alleviate symptoms. A few of our topical treatment offers include:
- Dovonex®: This cream is made out of a type of vitamin D, which helps slow the growth of skin cells and can reduce the amount of scaling skin.
- Hydrocortisone: This mild corticosteroid helps to reduce the amount of itching, redness, and inflammation associated with psoriasis.
- Tazorac®: This retinoid helps stabilize the growth rate of skin cells.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, is a type of treatment used for more moderate to severe cases of psoriasis. This treatment utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light to help slow down the rate of skin cell growth.
We are proud to offer the Lumenis® B-Clear, a cutting-edge laser technology. The Lumenis® B-Clear is a specially designed laser that uses a narrow-band UVB light to offer a more precise way to target and treat affected areas.
Oral Medication
Oral medications are used for more severe cases of psoriasis and symptoms that do not respond to other treatments. Medications such as Methotrexate, cyclosporine, and Soriatane® are available to help slow down the production and growth of skin cells and address overactive immune systems.
Biologic Agents
We offer advanced, cutting-edge treatments that utilize natural proteins such as antibodies and fusion proteins. These treatments aim to target the specific parts of the immune system that are responsible for the inflammation associated with psoriasis. We offer biologic agents such as Cosentyx®, Tremfya®, Stelara®, and more.
Cost of Psoriasis Treatment in Santa Monica
The cost of psoriasis treatment in Santa Monica can depend largely on several factors including the type of psoriasis being treated as well as the series of treatments needed to help each patient find relief.
To unlock the cost of your psoriasis treatment, please call our Santa Monica office at (310) 829-4104 or fill out our contact form and schedule your consultation today!
References
- Rendon A, Schäkel K. Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019;20(6):1475. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475
- Raharja A, Mahil SK, Barker JN. Psoriasis: a brief overview. Clinical Medicine (London, England). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi:https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257
- Armstrong AW, Read C. Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment of Psoriasis. JAMA. 2020;323(19):1945. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.4006
- Nair PA, Badri T. Psoriasis. PubMed. Published 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28846344/
