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Integrative Dermatology · Virtual Care for Maryland, DC & Virginia

Psoriasis Care That
Goes Beyond the Surface

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects more than the skin. At Skin Harmony MD, we combine evidence-based medical dermatology with a whole-person approach that considers the lifestyle and health factors that may influence psoriasis, flares, and overall health.

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Person with raised, scaly psoriasis plaques on the skin

You May Be Looking for a Different Kind
of Psoriasis Care If…

  • You’ve been treating the skin, but still have questions about what may be contributing to your flares.
  • You want to better understand how stress, sleep, nutrition, weight, or metabolic health may be affecting your psoriasis.
  • You want evidence-based medical treatment that also considers lifestyle and overall health.
  • You want a dermatologist who is open to complementary or alternative approaches when they can be thoughtfully integrated alongside evidence-based medical treatment.
  • You’d like more time with a dermatologist to understand your treatment options and ask questions.
  • You want a treatment plan that reflects your individual health, needs, and goals.
Understanding Psoriasis

Psoriasis Is a
Systemic Inflammatory Disease

Psoriasis may be most visible on the skin, but it does not exist in isolation. Understanding the health conditions and other factors that may be associated with psoriasis is an important part of comprehensive care.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the immune system. In psoriasis, immune signals cause skin cells to grow and turn over much faster than usual. This leads to the raised, scaly plaques often seen on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, although psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, including the nails, palms, and soles.

The skin changes we see in psoriasis are one part of a disease that can affect health beyond the skin. Psoriasis is associated with psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and other health concerns. Comprehensive psoriasis care means paying attention to both the skin and your overall health.

What appears on the skin is only part of the story. Understanding your health beyond the surface can help us build a more complete and personalized approach to care.

What Can Influence Psoriasis?

Psoriasis develops from a combination of genetic susceptibility, immune-system changes, and environmental factors. Triggers and contributing factors can vary significantly from person to person, which is why understanding your individual health picture matters.

  • Stress. Emotional stress and physical stress on the body can trigger or worsen psoriasis in some people.
  • Metabolic health. Psoriasis is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular risk. When these conditions are present, addressing them can be an important part of supporting long-term health alongside psoriasis treatment.
  • Infections. Certain infections can trigger psoriasis flares. Strep throat is a well-known example, particularly in guttate psoriasis.
  • Lifestyle factors. Alcohol use, smoking, certain medications, and skin injury can trigger or worsen psoriasis in some people.
  • Diet and nutrition. Nutrition can influence metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, and overall well-being. Certain dietary changes may also be helpful for selected patients, particularly when weight management is relevant or when a diagnosed gluten-related condition is present.
  • Gut health and the microbiome. Research has identified differences in the gut microbiome and gut function in some people with psoriasis. We are still learning what these findings mean clinically, but digestive health may be relevant in selected patients, particularly when gastrointestinal symptoms or related conditions are present.

No two people with psoriasis have exactly the same picture. Understanding your individual triggers, health history, associated health conditions, and factors we may be able to influence can help us build a more personalized and comprehensive treatment plan.

The Integrative Approach at Skin Harmony MD

Our approach combines evidence-based dermatology with lifestyle and integrative medicine. Depending on your individual needs, this may include attention to nutrition, metabolic health, stress, sleep, and other factors that may influence your psoriasis and overall health.

How We Work

What Comprehensive
Psoriasis Care Looks Like

01

A Thorough Evaluation of Your Full Picture

We take time to understand your complete history — when your psoriasis began, how it has changed over time, which treatments you have tried, what has and hasn’t helped, and what your stress, sleep, digestion, lifestyle, and overall health look like.

This helps us identify the factors that may be relevant to your psoriasis and build a treatment plan that is more personalized to you.
02

Targeted Laboratory Evaluation

When clinically appropriate, laboratory testing can help us evaluate metabolic health, possible nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and other health concerns that may be relevant to your psoriasis and overall health.

Testing is individualized based on your history, symptoms, risk factors, and prior results rather than ordered routinely for every patient. Additional specialty testing may be considered selectively when it is likely to change management.
03

Conventional Dermatology as Part of the Whole Plan

Topical therapies, phototherapy, oral medications, and biologic therapies are important evidence-based treatments for psoriasis when appropriate.

Integrative care is designed to work alongside medical treatment. We use conventional therapies thoughtfully while also addressing lifestyle and health factors that may influence psoriasis severity, flares, and overall well-being.
04

Nutrition & Lifestyle

Nutrition can be an important part of psoriasis care. We emphasize a balanced, plant-forward eating pattern rich in minimally processed foods, fiber, colorful plants, and healthy fats, while also considering metabolic health, weight when relevant, and your individual needs.

Our goal is not to put you on a rigid elimination diet. Instead, we build nutrition and lifestyle strategies that are realistic, culturally aware, evidence-informed, and sustainable.
05

Stress Physiology & Mind-Body Support

Stress can influence psoriasis flares in many people. We consider sleep, chronic stress, emotional well-being, and nervous-system regulation as part of the overall clinical picture.

When appropriate, mind-body strategies can be incorporated alongside your dermatologic treatment to support both skin health and overall well-being.
06

Psoriatic Arthritis Screening as Standard of Care

Up to 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, and early recognition matters. We screen for symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, swelling, heel pain, and nail changes that may suggest psoriatic arthritis.

If there are concerning symptoms, we recommend rheumatology evaluation when appropriate.
More Than Skin Deep

Psoriasis Can Affect
More Than Your Skin

Psoriatic Arthritis

Joints

Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, tendon or heel pain, and, if untreated, permanent joint damage. Screening for joint symptoms is an important part of ongoing psoriasis care.
Insulin Resistance · Cardiovascular Risk

Metabolic & Cardiovascular Health

Psoriasis is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, and increased cardiovascular risk. When appropriate, we consider these connections and encourage coordination with your primary care clinician or other specialists so that your long-term health is addressed alongside your skin.
Confidence · Mood · Quality of Life

Mental & Emotional Health

Living with psoriasis can affect confidence, relationships, mood, sleep, and quality of life. We consider the emotional impact of chronic skin disease as part of comprehensive care rather than treating it as separate from your physical health.
Questions We Hear Often

Psoriasis,
Answered Honestly

Dr. Monique Chheda
Written & Reviewed By
Dr. Monique Chheda, MD, FAAD
Board-certified dermatologist with advanced training in integrative dermatology and founder of Skin Harmony MD. Dr. Chheda cares for adults with chronic inflammatory skin conditions using an evidence-informed approach that brings together medical dermatology, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, and mind-body strategies.
Meet Dr. Chheda →

Comprehensive Psoriasis Care, Built Around You

Virtual psoriasis care for adults in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC — combining evidence-based dermatology with a whole-person approach that considers the broader factors that may be relevant to your health.

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