Psoriasis treatment in Valencia

Psoriasis develops because the immune system activates inappropriately and speeds up skin cell renewal. The cells accumulate, forming thickened plaques covered with scales.

Healthy skin

Skin cells renew in an orderly way, approximately every 28 days.

Immune signal

The immune system activates mistakenly and releases inflammatory signals.

Accelerated renewal

Cells multiply too quickly, within a few days.

Scaly plaque

A thickened plaque covered with scales forms.

There is no single cause. Genetic predisposition, immune system activation and factors that can trigger flare-ups all play a part, including some infections, injuries or intense friction on the skin, stress and certain medical treatments.

Plaques mainly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, although any area may be affected, including nails, skin folds, genitals, palms and soles. In darker skin, they may look purple, brown or grey rather than reddish, which sometimes delays diagnosis.

Three common misconceptions need clarifying: psoriasis cannot spread through contact, living together or swimming pools; it is not caused by poor hygiene; and no diet can cure it.

One person may develop one or more patterns over time. Recognising them matters because they are not all treated in the same way.

• Plaque psoriasis: the most common form. Well-defined, thickened, scaly plaques.
• Inverse or flexural psoriasis: smooth lesions with little scaling in the armpits, groin or genitals, often mistaken for a fungal infection.
• Guttate psoriasis: many small lesions on the trunk and limbs, more common in young people and sometimes following a throat infection.
• Pustular psoriasis: small lesions with whitish contents that are not an infection. It may be limited to the palms and soles.
• Nail psoriasis: pitting, yellowish patches or lifting of the nail. This increases suspicion of joint symptoms.

Some patients also develop psoriatic arthritis. Watch for a swollen joint, stiffness on getting up lasting more than half an hour, an entire swollen finger or toe, or heel or lower back pain that improves with movement. Joint symptom severity is unrelated to the extent of skin plaques. As ongoing inflammation can permanently damage a joint, early detection matters.

Psoriasis is also more frequently associated with problems involving weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and mood. These do not affect every patient, but assessing them is part of comprehensive care.

Diagnosis is clinical: it is based on the appearance and distribution of lesions and examination of the skin, scalp and nails; biopsy is reserved for uncertain cases. Severity is not measured solely by the area affected: involvement of the face, palms, soles, nails or genitals can have a major impact even when the area is small. Treatment is then organised in steps.

Daily care and habits

Daily moisturising, avoiding scratching and intense friction, not smoking and moderating alcohol intake support treatment and improve tolerance. Managing weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar is part of care, especially in more extensive forms. None of this replaces medical treatment, but it supports it.

Prescription topical treatment

This is the first option when the condition is limited to a few areas. It aims to reduce inflammation and scaling, with different regimens for the face, folds, body or scalp because skin tolerance varies by area. It is prescribed in defined regimens with follow-up reviews.

Medical phototherapy

This involves controlled exposure to a specific type of ultraviolet light, in scheduled sessions with measured doses. It is not the same as sunbathing or tanning beds. We do not provide it at the clinic: we assess whether it is suitable for you and advise you where to receive it.

Systemic and targeted treatment

This is reserved for more extensive or persistent forms, those that do not respond to the previous options, or those with joint involvement. It requires a prior review of your medical history, checks before starting and regular medical monitoring. When injectable treatment is indicated, we assess its suitability and support you through the process.

What treatment can and cannot achieve

Improvement is gradual and assessed over several weeks. The aim is to achieve clear or almost clear skin and maintain it for as long as possible; if control is insufficient, the plan is reviewed. However, psoriasis currently has no cure: treatment controls the condition and extends periods without lesions, but does not remove the underlying predisposition, and relapses after stopping are common. It is not possible to predict how long remission will last or promise that a particular option will work in every case. Skin treatment alone does not resolve joint involvement, which is assessed separately. After a flare-up, lighter or darker patches may remain for a while: these gradually fade and are not scars.

Consultation and diagnosis are usually covered by health insurance policies, subject to the conditions of each insurer and policy type. We confirm this when you book.

A dermatological assessment is advisable:

• If scaly plaques develop and do not improve with moisturising.
• If lesions itch, hurt or crack.
• If they affect the face, scalp, palms, soles, nails or genitals.
• If they spread or are not controlled by your current treatment.
• If you repeatedly need a potent anti-inflammatory treatment.
• If you notice swollen joints, prolonged morning stiffness, a swollen finger or toe, or heel pain.
• If the condition affects your sleep, work or mood.

At your first visit, we review how the condition started, how it has progressed, which areas it affects, and the treatments you have used and their results. We examine your skin, scalp and nails and look for signs of joint involvement. We assess severity and the impact on your quality of life and, if systemic treatment is appropriate, carry out the necessary checks beforehand.

We use this information to develop a plan by area and treatment step, explain what to expect and when, and arrange the next review. Any change is made for a specific reason — lack of response or poor tolerance — rather than impatience.

Psoriasis is part of our medical dermatology care in Valencia, available in Spanish, English and Italian. You can meet the medical team before your visit.