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Psoriasis is a disease that affects the skin and can also cause joint pain. It is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (such as infections, trauma, medicines, and stress). T-helper immune cells (e.g., Th17) and inflammatory signaling molecules such as IL17 and IL23 play an important role in how psoriasis affects the body.
Signs & Symptoms
Patients with psoriasis have well-defined, scaly, red, raised areas (called plaques) on their skin which often itch or burn. Psoriasis most commonly affects the scalp, elbows, and knees but it can occur almost anywhere on the skin. Patients with psoriasis can develop psoriatic arthritis 30% of the time.
Treatment
Psoriasis has many treatment options which must be tailored to each patient. Topical therapies (such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs) and phototherapy are considered first-line for psoriasis. Patients with severe, treatment-resistant, or joint disease often need internal (systemic) medications such as biologics or immunosuppressives.
Reference: Boehncke, Schön. Psoriasis, The Lancet, 2015. PMID: 26025581
Who We Are
Katherine Hunt, MD, FAAD
Dr. Hunt grew up in Hoover, Alabama and attended Hoover High School. She started her career in business and engineering at the University of Alabama.
As an undergraduate, she gained national attention and was named "USA Today National Academic All-Star" for creating a self-sustaining peer mentoring program which measurably improved students' computer science performance at Alabama.
Her extensive work experience at Huron Consulting Group and GE Healthcare helped her realize that she would be most fulfilled in the field of medicine, helping patients one-on-one.
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