WHAT'S THE TREATMENT FOR ORAL PSORIASIS? Many people with oral psoriasis don't need treatment because they're not bothered by it. But if it hurts, you can start with some simple steps: Rinse your mouth with a mixture of lukewarm water and salt. Don't eat spicy foods when symptoms are acting up. If you smoke, stop. If those home remedies aren't enough, talk to your doctor. Other options include: . Mouth rinses that lower acidity in your mouth and help with pain Medicines you can put on the sore areas in your mouth, such as steroids Pills or capsules (like cyclosporine) for severe symptoms If you take medications by mouth for skin psoriasis, they should also help with your oral symptoms. For now, there's a lot we don't know about who gets oral psoriasis and how to treat it. We don't even know how many people have it. And experts think that in part, that's because dermatologists who treat psoriasis don't usually check inside people's mouths. So if you have psoriasis on your skin and notice symptoms in your mouth, tell your doctor. It's the fastest way you'll get the treatment you need. And you may actually help your doctor better understand this unusual condition. To figure out what's causing your symptoms, your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history (and your family's); take a small sample of skin from inside your mouth to check under a microscope; or do genetic tests. Your doctor will also want to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms, like candida infection; leukoplakia; lichen planus; Reiter's syndrome; and problems caused by smoking, dentures that don't fit well, and other issues. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1985281 WHAT'S THE TREATMENT FOR ORAL PSORIASIS ? Many people with oral psoriasis don't need treatment because they're not bothered by it . But if it hurts , you can start with some simple steps : Rinse your mouth with a mixture of lukewarm water and salt . Don't eat spicy foods when symptoms are acting up . If you smoke , stop . If those home remedies aren't enough , talk to your doctor . Other options include : . Mouth rinses that lower acidity in your mouth and help with pain Medicines you can put on the sore areas in your mouth , such as steroids Pills or capsules ( like cyclosporine ) for severe symptoms If you take medications by mouth for skin psoriasis , they should also help with your oral symptoms . For now , there's a lot we don't know about who gets oral psoriasis and how to treat it . We don't even know how many people have it . And experts think that in part , that's because dermatologists who treat psoriasis don't usually check inside people's mouths . So if you have psoriasis on your skin and notice symptoms in your mouth , tell your doctor . It's the fastest way you'll get the treatment you need . And you may actually help your doctor better understand this unusual condition . To figure out what's causing your symptoms , your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history ( and your family's ) ; take a small sample of skin from inside your mouth to check under a microscope ; or do genetic tests . Your doctor will also want to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms , like candida infection ; leukoplakia ; lichen planus ; Reiter's syndrome ; and problems caused by smoking , dentures that don't fit well , and other issues . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL1985281