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When your immune system goes haywire and works against rather than for you, the consequences range from mildly annoying to life-threatening. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that accelerates the replication of your skin cells, causing a buildup of thick, scaly patches that can itch, crack, and bleed.
Although there’s no cure for psoriasis, treatments can tamp down flare-ups and minimize your symptoms. Our Easton Dermatology Associates team specializes in cutting-edge psoriasis treatments and can help you reclaim clear, patch-free skin.
Meanwhile, you may notice skin changes as you age and wonder whether you might grow out of psoriasis. Here’s what our experts say about how age affects psoriasis.
No, psoriasis won’t get better with age (unless you treat it), but it won’t worsen either.
Aging in and of itself doesn’t necessarily affect psoriasis, but age-related skin changes could. For example, older skin has less collagen and elastin to keep it strong and pliable. As your skin weakens, psoriasis may appear more severe, and you may experience increased pain and bleeding.
If you use a topical steroid cream to treat your psoriasis, use it sparingly as you age because it thins your skin and exacerbates the natural aging effects.
In addition to losing fat and proteins, your body undergoes other changes that may influence the effects of psoriasis.
Menopause ushers in a major drop in estrogen, which causes a cascade of symptoms, including dry, thinning skin. Low estrogen can also trigger psoriasis flares.
Although psoriasis symptoms appear on your skin, the problem lies deep within your body. It’s a systemic disease that develops into psoriatic arthritis in about 20% of people with psoriasis. Though genetics play a big role, it’s also true that the longer you live with psoriasis, the higher your chances of developing a related health condition like psoriatic arthritis.
For example, if stress and weight gain increase as you age, then you’re more likely to experience frequent psoriasis flare-ups and other health conditions.
Even though age doesn't directly cause psoriatic-related diseases, your chances of developing complications rise every year you live with psoriasis. One disease that tends to go hand in hand with psoriasis is metabolic syndrome, a set of factors that indicate a high risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, among other conditions.
Studies show that metabolic syndrome — the existence of three or more risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL, or a large waistline — is the most common comorbidity of psoriasis.
Easton Dermatology Associates offers the most advanced psoriasis treatments, and we can help you manage your symptoms — and maybe even help you achieve remission.
We start by thoroughly investigating your symptoms and family medical history to understand your situation fully.
If environmental factors, medication, obesity, or smoking are your primary psoriasis triggers, you can significantly reduce your symptoms by controlling those triggers.
We also offer systemic medications, topical steroid treatments, and light therapy using excimer laser technology that can clear your skin and help you achieve remission.
Don’t let psoriasis rule your life during your golden years — call Easton Dermatology Associates in Easton, Salisbury, or Stevensville, Maryland, to schedule an appointment with our psoriasis experts.
