How do I talk to my doctor about psoriasis on my genitals?

While it may be uncomfortable, it is important to talk to your doctor about psoriasis treatment specific to your genital region. In this video, Melissa Levin, MD, explains that some topical treatments are not recommended for use in sensitive areas.

Transcript

00:00

I always recommend my patients to be honest and open. Keep in mind that psoriasis on the genitals is common,

00:06

is normal, and it's part of the condition. [UPBEAT MUSIC]

00:15

Psoriasis can actually be a very uncomfortable skin condition, not only from the symptom standpoint, but where psoriasis commonly involves.

00:24

Classic psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis. This is the most common type of psoriasis that tends to involve the elbows, the knees, the scalps,

00:32

and the palms and the soles. Another type of psoriasis is actually called inverse psoriasis. This tends to involve the body folds in the body.

00:41

So common areas of inverse psoriasis can be the armpits, underneath the breast, in the groin, upper and inner thighs, the genitals,

00:50

and near the anus. All these areas can be kind of uncomfortable to talk about with your doctor or even with your loved ones.

00:57

I always recommend my patients to be honest and open. Keep in mind that psoriasis on the genitals is common,

01:03

is normal, and it's part of the condition. So your doctor really needs to know where your psoriasis is because not all medications that you apply on the skin

01:13

are safe for skin on the genitals. Skin on the genitals can be quite thin. So your doctor may want to prescribe a more low-dose

01:20

steroid that you only use for a limited amount of time, and/or a vitamin D cream can also be very effective.

01:26

Also, since the skin and the genitals can actually be exposed to repeated trauma, this can actually make your psoriasis worse.

01:33

Your doctor may want to talk to you about different ways that you can prevent a flare-up, such as wearing loose-fitting clothing, loose-fitting underwear,

01:41

any sort of lubricants, or high-quality toilet paper. [AUDIO LOGO]