Psoriasis Specialist

Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc.

Dermatology located in Aiea, HI & Honolulu, HI

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, itchy patches of skin. There’s no cure for psoriasis and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. William Wong Sr., MD, and the team of practitioners at Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc. take a holistic and patient-centered approach to care. They develop personalized treatment plans to help gain control over your psoriasis. To schedule a consultation, call the main office in Aiea or the satellite office in Honolulu, Hawaii, or book online today.

Psoriasis Q&A

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by a faulty immune system that triggers an overproduction of skin cells. With psoriasis, your skin produces new cells in a few days rather than a few weeks.

The extra skin cells pile up on the surface of your skin and create scaly, red patches.

What are the types of psoriasis?

There are many types of psoriasis and it’s not uncommon to have more than one type.

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. It causes dry, red, and raised patches of skin with silvery scales.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis causes small, round scaly lesions on the skin. This type of psoriasis is more common in children and teens.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis develops in the folds of skin in the groin and buttocks and under the breasts, causing smooth, red patches of skin.

Pustular psoriasis

With pustular psoriasis, you develop pus-filled lesions. This type is rare.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis causes a red, peeling, and itchy rash over your entire body. It’s the least common type of psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis

With psoriatic arthritis, you have joint pain and swelling. For many people with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis may be the first and only symptom.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

The team at Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc. conducts an in-depth clinical exam to diagnose psoriasis. During your exam, they ask detailed questions about your symptoms and medical and family history, then examine your skin, nails, and scalp.

They may remove a sample of your affected skin and examine it under a microscope to confirm or rule out psoriasis.

How is psoriasis treated?

Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc. takes a holistic and patient-centered approach to care. The specifics of your psoriasis treatment plan depend on the type of psoriasis you have, the severity of symptoms, your overall health, and your personal preferences.

Treatment options may include:

Corticosteroid cream
Retinoid gel or cream
Vitamin D analogues to slow skin cell growth
Calcineurin inhibitors to reduce inflammation and plaque buildup
Coal tar to treat itching and inflammation

Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc. also offers phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis. The practice has two phototherapy treatment options: a narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) laser to treat the whole body and the excimer laser that targets the psoriasis rash.

To schedule your psoriasis consultation at Hawaii Dermatology & Surgery, Inc., call or book online today.