Imagine waking up one day to find your skin covered in red, flaky patches. It itches, it burns, and sometimes it even bleeds. You’ve never experienced anything like this before and are terrified of what it could mean for your future.
This is the reality for millions living with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition affecting more than 125 million individuals worldwide. Psoriasis is not just a “skin condition”. It’s a systemic disease that can affect your entire body, from your skin to your joints and even your mental health.
Understanding symptoms and treatments of psoriasis can help those living with psoriasis reclaim their lives. Let’s delve into psoriasis symptoms and possible treatment options.
Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that accelerates the life cycle of skin cells, causing them to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, leading to red, itchy, and sometimes painful patches.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes psoriasis, but they think it’s a combination of things. Certain genes might make you more likely to get it. Also, something in your environment could trigger it. For example, cold weather, a skin injury, or an infection could cause a flare-up.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
The symptoms of psoriasis can differ depending on the type of psoriasis. However, some common symptoms include:
- Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales.
- Dry, cracked skin prone to bleeding.
- Itching, burning, or soreness in the affected area.
- Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails.
- Swollen and stiff joints.
Treatments for Psoriasis
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, various treatment options can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups. GI Care Infusion offers advanced infusion therapies for conditions like psoriasis.
These therapies aim to reduce cell growth and inflammation, allowing patients to live freely and without limits. Treatments offered include Stelara infusions and Infliximab (commonly known as Remicade or Avsola) infusions, among others. These therapies work to reduce flare-ups and inflammation caused by psoriasis.
Sterlara Infusion
Stelara is a prescription medication that can be administered via infusion or subcutaneous injections to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It works by blocking certain natural proteins in your body, specifically interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, that cause inflammation.
The treatment starts with a one-time intravenous (IV) infusion, which is given through a vein in the arm. The amount of medication provided is based on your body weight. This infusion is typically given at a certified infusion center like GI Care Infusion and lasts approximately one hour.
Following the initial IV infusion, maintenance doses of Stelara are administered as subcutaneous injections.
Infliximab (Remicade/Avsola)
Infliximab, sold under the brand names Remicade or Avsola, is another biologic therapy that can be used to treat plaque psoriasis. Infliximab works by binding to and inhibiting the action of a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which plays a key role in causing inflammation and immune system responses.
Infliximab is administered as an intravenous infusion over around 2 hours. Infliximab treats various conditions, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
Preparing for Infusion Therapy
Whether you’re receiving Stelara or Infliximab, preparing properly for your infusion therapy session is important.
Follow all your doctor’s instructions, inform them about all medications you’re currently taking, wear comfortable clothing for easy catheter insertion, and consider taking some time off to recover from any potential side effects.
Psoriasis Treatment Near Me in Atlanta
Psoriasis is a challenging and frustrating skin condition that can affect individuals physically and emotionally. Fortunately, various treatments, including infusion therapy ,are available to help manage and control psoriasis symptoms.
If you’re considering infusion therapy for psoriasis treatment, it’s crucial to discuss the options with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your individual health needs.
At GI Care Infusion, we offer state-of-the-art treatment of psoriasis and other chronic health conditions. Our team of highly trained and compassionate nurses and physicians provide compassionate and highest-quality care to ensure your experience is seamless.
To learn more about how Stelara and infusion therapy can help manage your psoriasis, reach out to our primary location in Atlanta, Georgia, at (470) 785-4616. You can also arrange a consultation with our exceptionally skilled nurses and physicians by either giving us a call or using our online appointment scheduling option. We look forward to serving you!
