Psoriasis Treatment in Bedford, TX | Essential Dermatology Group
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Contact UsPsoriasis Treatment in Bedford, TX
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition affecting roughly 7 million Americans. It is not contagious, it is not caused by anything you did, and it cannot be cured — but it can absolutely be controlled. The treatments available today are dramatically more effective than what existed even ten years ago. Many of our psoriasis patients go from covering their arms and scalp every day to nearly clear skin.
At Essential Dermatology Group in Bedford, TX, our board-certified dermatologists treat psoriasis at every severity using the full range of modern therapies. We tailor plans based on what type of psoriasis you have, how much of your body it affects, and how it's impacting your daily life.
What Psoriasis Is — And What It Isn't
Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly speeds up the skin's natural cell-renewal process. Normally, skin cells take about a month to mature and shed. In psoriasis, they cycle through in days — piling up on the surface before the older cells have a chance to fall off. The result is the thick, red, scaly plaques that characterize the condition.
Psoriasis is not poor hygiene. It is not caused by stress (though stress can worsen flares). It is not an allergy. It is not contagious — you cannot give psoriasis to another person or catch it from someone else. It is a genetic, immune-driven condition that requires medical management.
Untreated psoriasis can also be more than skin-deep. Patients with psoriasis have higher risks of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic conditions. Effective treatment isn't just cosmetic — it's a meaningful part of overall health.
Types of Psoriasis We Treat
Plaque Psoriasis
By far the most common form. Appears as raised, red patches covered with silvery-white scale, most often on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp — though plaques can appear anywhere. The plaques can be itchy, painful, or sometimes asymptomatic but visibly distressing.
Scalp Psoriasis
Plaques on the scalp that can extend onto the forehead, behind the ears, and onto the back of the neck. Often confused with severe dandruff. Scalp psoriasis requires specifically formulated treatments that can penetrate the hair to reach the skin underneath.
Inverse Psoriasis
Appears in skin folds — under the arms, in the groin, under the breasts, between the buttocks. Looks different from plaque psoriasis: smoother, shinier, more red than scaly. Frequently misdiagnosed as a yeast infection. Requires different treatment approaches than plaque psoriasis on exposed skin.
Nail Psoriasis
Pitting, discoloration, thickening, or lifting of the nails — often appearing in patients who also have plaque psoriasis. Sometimes the most visible and distressing form. We treat nail psoriasis with topical, injectable, and systemic options depending on severity.
Guttate Psoriasis
Small, drop-shaped lesions that often appear suddenly, particularly after a streptococcal infection. More common in children and young adults. Often responds well to short-term treatment.
Psoriasis in Skin of Color
Psoriasis appears differently on darker skin tones. The red plaques characteristic of psoriasis on fair skin may appear as purple, gray, or dark brown on brown or black skin, with thicker scale that can look silvery-white. This presentation is often missed by providers unfamiliar with darker skin types. Dr. Williams has particular expertise in recognizing and treating psoriasis in patients of color.
Our Treatment Approach
Topical Therapy
For mild-to-moderate psoriasis covering limited body area, prescription topicals are usually the starting point. Options include vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene), corticosteroids in various strengths, retinoids, and combination products. We typically rotate these to maximize effect while minimizing side effects from prolonged use of any single agent.
Phototherapy
Narrow-band UVB light therapy is highly effective for psoriasis covering larger body areas. Sessions are short and supervised, typically two to three times weekly for a course. For many patients with widespread plaque psoriasis, phototherapy provides excellent control with very few side effects.
Oral Medications
For moderate-to-severe psoriasis, oral systemic medications — including methotrexate, cyclosporine, apremilast (Otezla), and newer oral agents — can produce significant clearance. These require regular monitoring but are powerful tools.
Biologic Medications
Biologics are injectable medications that target specific parts of the immune cascade driving psoriasis. They include drugs targeting TNF-alpha, IL-17, and IL-23 — the immune signals that drive the overactive skin cell production. Many patients on biologics achieve clear or nearly clear skin. We have extensive experience with the major biologic options, manage the prior authorization process, and follow patients carefully on these medications.
Choosing the right biologic for a given patient depends on the type and severity of psoriasis, whether you have joint involvement, other medical conditions, and personal preferences (some are taken weekly, some monthly, some quarterly).
"Essential Dermatology is a place with high value to their patients! Dr Williams treated my severe plaque psoriasis, and I'm excited to say that it has completely went away! Not only was my psoriasis healed, my psoriatic arthritis healed entirely as well! Thanks again doctor Williams!" — Patient review, Essential Dermatology Group
Quality of Life Matters
Psoriasis affects more than skin. Patients with psoriasis report disrupted sleep from itching, anxiety about visible plaques, embarrassment in social and intimate situations, and joint pain when psoriatic arthritis develops. Effective treatment addresses all of these — not just the cosmetic appearance.
We talk openly about quality of life at every visit. If a treatment is controlling your psoriasis on paper but you're still hiding your skin or avoiding activities you used to enjoy, the plan needs adjustment. The goal isn't "better than before." The goal is the freedom to live as if you didn't have psoriasis.
Triggers and Lifestyle Factors
Psoriasis flares can be triggered by:
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Stress — physical or emotional
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Infections, particularly strep throat
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Skin injury (cuts, scrapes, sunburns) — known as the Koebner phenomenon
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Certain medications, including some beta-blockers and lithium
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Smoking and heavy alcohol use
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Cold, dry weather — winter is often worse than summer
We discuss lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your flares and what's worth adjusting. Smoking cessation, in particular, is one of the most impactful changes patients with psoriasis can make.
Call 682-503-2023 to schedule a psoriasis consultation
Psoriasis Reviews
Very through took time to learn history and asked questions. Was able to get what I needed for psoriasis.
Essential Dermatology is a place with high value to their patients! Dr Williams treated my severe plaque psoriasis, and I'm excited to say that it has completely went away! Not only was my psoriasis healed, my psoriatic arthritis healed entirely as well! Thanks again doctor Williams!
Very through took time to learn history and asked questions. Was able to get what I needed for psoriasis.
I had a bad experience with the last dermatologist I seen. I have been recently diagnosed with Psoriasis and these guys were great. They explained everything to me in detail. And wrote all the instructions on paper as well.
Dr Cooper is great! He always has last minute openings, has helped tremendously with psoriasis, and after years of chronic urticaria I finally have relief! Couldn’t recommend enough.
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Total Reviews
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Average Rating
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Photos
Severe Psoriasis Patient After 1 month of Biologic Therapy in Bedford, TX.
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About UsPsoriasis FAQs
Will my psoriasis go away?
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured, but with modern treatment many patients achieve clear or nearly clear skin and maintain it long-term. The goal of treatment is sustained control rather than a one-time fix.
Are biologics safe?
Modern biologics for psoriasis have an extensive safety record when used in appropriate patients with proper monitoring. The most common risk is increased susceptibility to certain infections. We screen for contraindications before starting any biologic and monitor patients on therapy.
Will my children get psoriasis?
Psoriasis has a genetic component, so children of psoriasis patients are at higher risk — but it is not a certainty. About one-third of patients with psoriasis report a family history.
Can stress cause psoriasis?
Stress doesn't cause psoriasis — but it can trigger flares in someone who already has the condition. Stress management is one of the lifestyle factors we discuss when relevant.