Psoriasis Clinic

Overview

The Psoriasis Clinic at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Medical Specialty Institute specializes in treating psoriasis, a skin condition that affects many people.

Psoriasis causes the skin to appear red or pink with flaky patches, referred to as plaques, which often become inflamed, itchy and sore. Psoriasis usually affects the knees, elbows, scalp and lower back. It is an autoimmune disease, in which your immune response is overactive and causes inflammation and the growth of new skin cells too quickly. It is a chronic condition, meaning it doesn’t go away.

Our clinic’s expert physicians offer comprehensive care to manage psoriasis using state-of-the-art therapies. Like many conditions affecting the skin, psoriasis can cause patients to feel insecure or self-conscious about their appearance. The Psoriasis Clinic team provides comprehensive and thorough care, which is compassionate and thoughtful, always putting Patients First.

What We Treat

There are different types of psoriasis, which can affect different parts of the body. These include:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form, affecting any part of the body.
• Sebopsoriasis: Appears on the face and scalp as red lumps with yellowish scales.
• Guttate psoriasis: Can appear following a streptococcal throat infection.
• Pustular psoriasis: Appears with pus-filled bumps.
• Inverse psoriasis: Affects the folds of the skin.
• Psoriasis in sensitive areas.
• Nail psoriasis.

The highly trained staff at the Psoriasis Clinic offer expert diagnosis and medical treatment for all types of psoriasis, through outpatient services within the Medical Specialty Institute.

Diagnosis of Psoriasis

To diagnose psoriasis, your doctor will first take a detailed medical history from you and examine your skin. They may also take a small skin sample to be investigated under a microscope.

Treatment of Psoriasis

There are several types of treatment available which can relieve psoriasis. These range from creams and ointments which can help if only small areas are affected, through to light therapy and biologic drugs. Treatment will depend on how severe your psoriasis is, which part of the body is affected, your overall health and your age.

Treatments for milder psoriasis include:

• Dry skin moisturizer
• Steroid cream
• Vitamin A or retinoid cream
• Vitamin D3 ointment

If your psoriasis doesn’t improve, the following may be recommended:

• UV light therapy: At certain wavelengths, UV light can decrease inflammation and slow skin cell production.
• Retinoids: A type of vitamin A, it is also associated with side effects.
• Methotrexate: Given in more severe cases, this medication can affect the liver so close monitoring with regular blood tests is essential.
• Cyclosporine: Given in more severe cases, this medication can cause high blood pressure and kidney damage. Biological therapies: Medication modify the immune system’s response to psoriasis.

Meet Our Team

Caregivers involved in patient care for this program are:

• Dermatologists
• Nurses.