Understand what it means to have moderate to severe psoriasis
If you have psoriasis, your doctor may have explained to you a bit about the symptoms. In short, psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that most commonly causes red skin patches, often covered with thick silver flaky scales, which form on areas of your body where new skin cells grow faster than normal.
Psoriasis is usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on how large an area it affects and how the condition affects the person's quality of life.
If your psoriasis has been classified as moderate-to-severe psoriasis that means that the condition has a significant impact on your quality of life. Moderate psoriasis is usually defined as psoriasis affecting 5% to 10% of your body surface area. Severe psoriasis is usually defined as psoriasis affecting 10% or more of the body.
With moderate or severe psoriasis you may experience some of the negative effects of the condition. If you ever feel stressed, embarrassed, angry, frustrated, or helpless because of your condition, know that you are not alone. These emotions are common among those living with psoriasis. Your relationships at home, work, or school may be affected, and you could face social stigma since psoriasis is visible to others. Your self-esteem may even be affected.
Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis, so you must find ways to live with your condition and manage it every day. The good news is that with proper treatment, your psoriasis lesions can be cleared, and you can enjoy a better quality of life.
You have many treatment options available to you. And they are effective for all severities of psoriasis, including moderate-to-severe psoriasis. If you haven't already done so, talk to your doctor about your treatment options or ask about getting a referral to see a dermatologist who specializes in treating psoriasis.
To locate a dermatologist in your area, use the Dermatologist Finder. If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, your doctor may use a questionnaire called the DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) to assess how well you are responding to the current treatment plan and to find the most satisfactory option for your condition.
