Archives

Psoriasis of the Foot

Even though your feet make up a small area of your body, having a foot-related skin problem can greatly affect your everyday life. Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that results from an overactive immune system, can appear on the feet and toenails and cause pain and discomfort. Your Next Step, a podiatry practice serving the greater Philadelphia area, helps patients with all types of skin issues. Find out about the common symptoms and treatments that we offer to help ease and prevent your discomfort!

Symptoms

An immune condition causes the skin to grow skin cells at an abnormally fast rate, which commonly results in:

  • Patches of red, inflamed skin covered in flaky, dry scales
  • Itchiness
  • Pain
  • Cracking and/or bleeding
  • Cracked and brittle toenails that may become discolored

80% of psoriasis patients are diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, but some can develop pustular psoriasis, which causes light colored blisters on the soles of the feet that eventually dry up and resolve, leaving brown spots on the skin. Psoriasis symptoms are often triggered by factors like stress, weather, smoking, alcohol consumption, medications and skin injuries.

Treatments

Common ways to treat psoriasis:

  • Topical creams & ointments
  • Prescription medication
  • Light therapy

Other ways to manage and prevent your psoriasis:

  • Shower with lukewarm water, as hot water can dry out your skin
  • Moisturize your skin
  • Sun exposure after applying sunscreen
  • Stress can aggravate psoriasis, so seek emotional support if you need it
  • Limit alcohol and smoking

Psoriasis symptoms can come and go, but it is best to consult with a medical professional as soon as you notice any symptoms. If psoriasis on your feet are causing you discomfort, come see our team of board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, for high quality, individualized foot and ankle care. At Your Next Step, we use advanced technologies to diagnose and treat a range of issues, such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis, diabetic foot problems, toe deformities, sports injuries, and skin problems. Our offices are located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us to schedule an appointment!

  • Recent Posts

  • Categories