Psoriasis treatment in Gurgaon
Psoriasis is a long-term condition, but it can be brought under good control. Dr. Tanya Kochhar builds a stepwise plan for your skin, scalp and nails, matched to how severe it is and how it affects your life.
How is psoriasis treated in Gurgaon?
Psoriasis is treated with a stepwise plan aimed at control: clear or near-clear skin and fewer flares, not a one-time cure. At Le Dermaire, Dr. Tanya Kochhar assesses your skin, scalp, nails and joints, then starts with creams, moving to tablets or referral for advanced therapy if needed. Creams usually show a response within 2 to 6 weeks.
Psoriasis, in short
The essentials, before the detail. Every plan is individual, because psoriasis varies a great deal from one person to the next.
What psoriasis is
Psoriasis is a chronic condition in which an overactive immune response speeds up the turnover of skin cells. Instead of shedding over about a month, cells pile up within days, forming the raised, red or dark, scaly plaques that are typical of the condition. On brown skin plaques often look violet, grey or dark brown rather than red, and may leave dark marks as they heal.
It runs in families, is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene. Psoriasis is also linked with more than the skin: some people develop psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis is associated with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and fatty liver. Good care looks at the whole person.
Common triggers include stress, throat and other infections, smoking, alcohol, skin injury, dry winter weather and certain medicines, such as lithium, some blood pressure tablets, antimalarials, and stopping oral steroids suddenly.
Types of psoriasis
The type and the areas involved shape the choice of treatment. Many people have more than one pattern.
Plaque psoriasis
The most common form: thick, scaly plaques on the elbows, knees, lower back and elsewhere. Ranges from a few patches to widespread disease.
Scalp psoriasis
Thick, adherent scale on the scalp, often extending past the hairline and behind the ears. Often mistaken for severe dandruff.
Nail psoriasis
Pitting, discolouration, thickening and lifting of the nail. It can resemble a fungal infection, and is linked with a higher chance of joint involvement.
Guttate psoriasis
Many small, drop-like spots appearing quickly, often in young people after a throat infection.
Palmoplantar psoriasis
Thick, cracked or pustular skin on the palms and soles, which can make work and walking painful.
Inverse psoriasis
Smooth, shiny patches in skin folds such as the groin, armpits and under the breasts, worsened by sweat and friction.
Pustular psoriasis
Sterile pus-filled spots, either on the hands and feet or, rarely, widespread with fever. Widespread pustules need urgent medical attention.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Rare and serious: redness and scaling over most of the body, with chills and feeling unwell. This is a medical emergency and needs same-day care.
How psoriasis is treated
Four stages, reviewed and adjusted over time as your skin responds.
Diagnosis
Dr. Tanya examines your skin, scalp and nails, uses dermoscopy where it helps separate psoriasis from eczema or fungal infection, and asks about joints, triggers and medicines. A biopsy is occasionally needed.
Assessing severity
How much skin is involved, which areas, and how much it affects sleep, work and confidence. Weight, blood pressure and other health risks are considered too.
A stepwise plan
Treatment starts at the level your psoriasis needs, from creams and scalp solutions to tablets or referral for advanced therapy, with clear instructions on how much to use and for how long.
Follow-up
Regular reviews to check progress, side effects and blood results, and to step treatment down once the skin is controlled.
Psoriasis treatment options explained
Topical treatment is the starting point for mild to moderate psoriasis. Corticosteroid creams and ointments calm inflammation quickly, and vitamin D analogues such as calcipotriol slow skin cell growth; the two are often combined. Scalp gels, shampoos and salicylic acid preparations lift thick scale so treatment can reach the skin. Moisturisers help every type.
Phototherapy, usually narrowband UVB given two to three times a week for several weeks, may be recommended for widespread psoriasis that creams cannot reach. Where it is suitable, Dr. Tanya will advise on it and on where it can be given.
Systemic treatment is used for moderate to severe psoriasis, psoriasis of the palms, soles, scalp or nails that does not respond to creams, or psoriatic arthritis. Options include methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin and apremilast, each chosen according to your age, health, plans for pregnancy and other medicines.
Biologics are injectable medicines that block specific parts of the immune response. They are considered for moderate to severe psoriasis when other systemic treatments have not worked or are not suitable, after screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis. Psoriasis treatment in Gurgaon should be planned with this whole ladder in view, so that you move up it when you need to, and back down when you can.
Psoriasis treatment cost in Gurgaon
The cost depends on the type and extent of your psoriasis and on the treatment chosen. Most of it is prescription medicine bought from a pharmacy. Any in-clinic procedure is quoted in writing after the consultation, before it is booked.
Why regular follow-up saves money
Psoriasis that is only treated when it flares tends to flare more often. A plan that brings the skin under control and then steps treatment down, with blood tests timed properly for tablets, usually means fewer relapses, fewer emergency visits and less medicine over a year.
Using psoriasis medicines safely
Steroid creams are effective and safe when used as prescribed, in the right strength for the area and for a defined period. Used without supervision, strong steroid creams, including many mixed creams sold over the counter, can thin the skin, cause stretch marks and trigger a severe rebound flare when stopped. Oral steroids are generally avoided in psoriasis for the same reason.
Tablets and injections are monitored with blood tests before starting and at intervals afterwards, typically checking blood counts, liver and kidney function, and lipids depending on the medicine. Methotrexate and acitretin in particular require careful planning around pregnancy, for both women and, in the case of methotrexate, men.
Seek medical care the same day if redness spreads over most of your body, if you develop widespread pus-filled spots with fever, or if you feel unwell while on treatment. Tell the clinic about joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness at any visit.
What helps, and what to avoid
Helps
- Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser at least twice a day, especially in winter.
- Use treatments exactly as advised, including on days the skin looks better.
- Keep a healthy weight, stay active and have blood pressure and sugar checked.
- Short, lukewarm baths or showers, patting the skin dry.
- Manage stress, and get sore throats treated promptly.
Avoid
- Unsupervised steroid creams, and mixed creams with steroids, antifungals and antibiotics.
- Smoking, and heavy or regular alcohol.
- Picking or scratching plaques, which can make psoriasis appear at the injury site.
- Stopping prescribed tablets suddenly without advice.
- Harsh soaps, scrubs and very hot water.
Psoriasis care led by a skin specialist
Psoriasis can look like eczema, fungal infection or seborrhoeic dermatitis, and the right treatment differs for each. A dermatologist confirms the diagnosis, picks up early signs of psoriatic arthritis, prescribes and monitors systemic medicines safely, and knows when to escalate to advanced therapy and when to step down.
Dr. Tanya Kochhar holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, an MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy from MGM Medical College, a DNB, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology (FRGUHS). She is registered with the National Medical Commission and the Delhi Medical Council.
Psoriasis FAQs
Can psoriasis be cured permanently?
There is currently no permanent cure, but psoriasis can be controlled very well. Many people reach clear or nearly clear skin with the right treatment and stay that way for long periods. The aim is to control flares, protect the joints and overall health, and use the least treatment needed to keep the skin comfortable.
Is psoriasis contagious?
No. Psoriasis cannot be caught by touching someone, sharing towels, swimming together or any other contact. It is an immune-mediated condition that tends to run in families. Explaining this to family, colleagues and friends often helps, because the stigma around visible plaques is one of the hardest parts of living with it.
How much does psoriasis treatment cost in Gurgaon?
At Le Dermaire the cost depends on the type and extent of psoriasis and the treatment chosen, and any in-clinic procedure is quoted in writing after the consultation. The consultation fee is Rs 1,800. Most psoriasis treatment is prescription medicine, and there are no clinic charges that are not quoted to you first.
What triggers a psoriasis flare?
Common triggers include stress, infections such as a sore throat, smoking, alcohol, skin injury including scratching, dry cold weather and certain medicines, such as lithium, some blood pressure tablets and antimalarials. Stopping oral steroids abruptly can also cause a severe flare. Triggers differ between people, and identifying yours helps prevent future flares.
Are steroid creams safe for psoriasis?
Yes, when prescribed by a doctor and used in the right strength, on the right areas, for a defined time. Problems come from long-term unsupervised use, especially of strong or mixed creams bought over the counter, which can thin the skin and cause rebound flares. Steroids are often combined with vitamin D creams to reduce the amount needed.
Is psoriasis linked to joint pain?
It can be. Some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, heels or lower back, often worse in the morning. It is more likely with nail or scalp psoriasis. Early treatment helps protect the joints, so mention any joint symptoms at every visit.
Do I need blood tests for psoriasis treatment?
Not for creams alone. Tablets such as methotrexate, ciclosporin and acitretin, and biologic injections, need blood tests before starting and at regular intervals afterwards to check blood counts, liver and kidney function and other markers. Screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis is done before biologics. These tests keep treatment safe.
Where is the clinic in Gurgaon?
Le Dermaire is at 10P, 3rd Floor, Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Golf Course Road, Gurugram, opposite Phase 1. It is open Monday to Saturday from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Psoriasis treatment on Golf Course Road, Gurugram
Within easy reach of DLF Phases 1 to 5, Sushant Lok, Cyber City, MG Road and Sohna Road. Evening and Sunday appointments make regular follow-up easier to keep.
Golf Course Road, opposite DLF Phase 1,
Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Gurugram
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ExploreGet a clear plan for your psoriasis
You will leave knowing what type of psoriasis you have, which treatment suits its severity, what monitoring it needs and what it will cost.