Psoriasis of the Feet: Managing Your Symptoms

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August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, and while 10 percent of people are born with genes that could cause this condition, only about 2% actually contract it. Today Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC are discussing how you can manage your symptoms if you’re one of those people.

Some things that trigger psoriasis include injury and stress. Patients with psoriasis of the feet can easily trigger the symptoms with an injury because they are exposed and used constantly.  

Feet psoriasis symptoms include cracked, irritated, dry skin, and in some cases, pus-filled blisters. These symptoms are more common in women than men, typically affect only adults, and can affect both leisure and work activities.

The following are some home psoriasis treatment tips.

  • Limit alcohol intake as it seems to aggravate psoriasis.

  • Stop smoking – it is a psoriasis trigger.

  • Wear comfortable shoes.

  • Avoid injury as much as possible.

  • About twice a day, soak your feet in warm water, pat them dry, and then cover them with a moisturizer.

  • Cracking of the skin can be helped by using superglue to reduce splitting and speed healing.

  • After moisturizing, cover your feet with a waterproof dressing for a few hours or overnight. 

Medical Treatment for Feet Psoriasis

Feet psoriasis treatments typically start with topical creams and advance to light therapy. In cases that are difficult to treat, medications that block immune cells are injected.

Medical options that may help include:

  • Prescription topical steroids that are typically used for up to a month at a time.

  • Topical ointments that are derived from vitamin A and vitamin D can be used to slow skin cell growth.

  • Light therapy slows skin cell production and knocks out the immune cells that are causing the inflammation.

  • Oral medication, including Vitamin A derivatives, targets the inflammation without overpowering the immune system. 

Having feet psoriasis can make everyday activities difficult. The condition can be difficult to treat and typically requires a combination of different treatments. If you suspect you may have psoriasis, contact the offices of Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC to schedule an appointment. Call us today us at (301) 762-3338 or book your appointment online.

foot conditions, Foot HealthMaple Springs Foot Centerpsoriasis, light therapy