Free consultation at all 8 branches. Doctor-led, no obligation.Book Free Consultation
Call us daily0311 111 7546
MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY

Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Pityriasis Rosea

Inflammatory skin diseases are conditions where the immune system drives ongoing redness, scaling, itching or rash. Psoriasis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea all sit in this group, and they resemble each other closely enough that people often treat the wrong thing for months. At Venus Aesthetics a dermatologist examines your skin and names the condition before any treatment begins. Most of these conditions are controlled rather than cured, so a realistic plan is worth more than a quick fix.

Dermatology consultation Rs 3,500By appointment only. Aesthetic treatment consultations remain free.
0311 111 7546
What it is

Understanding Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Pityriasis Rosea

Inflammatory skin disease is an umbrella term for conditions where the immune system over reacts inside the skin, producing rash, plaques, scaling and itch. Psoriasis causes thick, well defined plaques with silvery scale, often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, and it can involve the nails and joints. Lichen planus produces flat topped, violet coloured, very itchy bumps, and can appear inside the mouth. Pityriasis rosea begins with one larger patch, then spreads as smaller oval patches on the trunk and usually settles by itself. They behave differently, so the diagnosis decides the treatment.

Signs we treat

Come in if you recognise any of these

  • Thick raised patches with silvery white scale on the elbows, knees, scalp or lower back
  • Pitting, ridging, thickening or lifting of the fingernails and toenails
  • Small flat topped purple bumps that itch badly, often on the wrists, forearms or ankles
  • White lacy lines, sore red areas or ulcers inside the mouth
  • One larger oval patch, followed a week or two later by a spreading crop of smaller patches on the chest and back
  • A rash that keeps returning in the same place, or that has not cleared after weeks of pharmacy creams
  • Skin changes along with joint pain, stiffness or swelling, especially in the fingers
How we treat it

Your plan, step by step

1

Dermatology consultation, by appointment

You book a dedicated dermatology appointment, Rs 3,500, at any of our 8 branches across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. The doctor takes a full history: when the rash started, where it began, what makes it worse, what you have already applied or taken, family history, and whether your nails or joints have changed. Call 0311 111 7546 to book.

2

Examination of skin, scalp, nails and mouth

Psoriasis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea each leave clues away from the patch you are worried about. The scalp, nails, skin folds and the inside of the mouth are checked, because these often confirm the diagnosis when the rash itself looks unclear or has already been altered by creams.

3

Tests only where they change the answer

If the picture is not clear, the doctor may take a skin scraping to rule out a fungal infection, or a small skin biopsy under local anaesthetic. Blood tests may be advised where an oral medicine is being considered. Nothing is done without explaining the reason, and the cost is told to you before you agree.

4

A named diagnosis and honest expectations

You are told which condition you have and how it behaves. Pityriasis rosea usually settles on its own. Psoriasis and lichen planus are long term conditions that are managed and controlled rather than cured. We talk about what a realistic good result looks like for your skin before any treatment starts.

5

A treatment plan built around your case

Options may include topical treatment, light based treatment, or oral medicine where the disease is widespread or has not responded. The choice depends on how much skin is involved, where it sits, your age, pregnancy or breastfeeding, other health conditions and your current medicines. The doctor confirms what is suitable for you and what is available at your branch.

6

Trigger control and review

Flares often follow stress, throat infections, certain medicines, harsh soaps, hard scrubbing and dry winter air in cities like Lahore and Faisalabad. You get specific daily care advice and a review date, so the plan can be adjusted on evidence rather than repeated blindly.

FAQs

Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Pityriasis Rosea, answered honestly

Is psoriasis curable, or will I have it for life?
Psoriasis is a long term condition, so honest language matters here. It is managed and controlled, not cured. Many people get long stretches of clear or almost clear skin with the right treatment, then a flare after stress, an infection or a change in weather. The aim is to settle the current flare, keep the skin comfortable, and have a plan ready for the next one.
How do I know whether my rash is psoriasis, eczema or a fungal infection?
They can look alike, which is why self treatment so often fails. Psoriasis plaques are usually thick, sharply bordered and silvery. Eczema tends to be less defined, weepy and intensely itchy. A fungal infection often spreads in a ring with a raised active edge, and steroid creams make it worse. A dermatologist can usually tell by examination, and a skin scraping or biopsy settles any doubt.
Is pityriasis rosea contagious, and how long does it last?
Pityriasis rosea is not considered to spread through ordinary household contact, so your family is not usually at risk. It often begins with one larger patch, then a wider crop of smaller oval patches appears over the following week or two, mostly on the chest, back and upper arms. It commonly settles on its own over some weeks. Treatment mainly targets the itch and confirms it is nothing else.
What does lichen planus inside the mouth mean, and does it need treating?
Lichen planus can affect the lining of the mouth, showing as white lacy lines, sore red areas or ulcers. Some people have it in the mouth with no rash on the skin at all. It matters because sore areas make eating and brushing difficult, and because long standing oral lesions need monitoring over time. Do not ignore it. Raise it at your appointment so it can be examined properly.
What does a dermatology appointment at Venus Aesthetics cost?
Dermatology consultations are Rs 3,500 and are by appointment only. That covers the doctor examining your skin, taking your history and giving you a diagnosis with a written plan. Any tests, medicines or procedures are separate and are explained and priced before anything is done. Aesthetic treatment consultations are free, but medical dermatology is a different service. Call 0311 111 7546 to book a slot.
Can I just use a steroid cream from the pharmacy?
Steroid creams are genuinely useful medicines when the correct strength is used on the correct condition for a defined period. Bought over the counter and used without a diagnosis, they can thin the skin, cause stretch marks, let a fungal infection spread, and make the rash rebound worse when you stop. This happens often in Pakistan. Get the diagnosis first, then use exactly what the doctor prescribes.
Does sun exposure help or worsen these conditions?
It depends on the condition. Measured sunlight helps some people with psoriasis, and controlled light treatment works on the same principle under supervision. Sunburn does the opposite and can trigger fresh plaques on the damaged skin. Pakistani summer sun is strong, so long unprotected exposure is not a treatment plan. Lichen planus and the marks it leaves usually darken further with sun. Ask your dermatologist what suits your skin.
Will the dark marks left behind after the rash clears fade?
In brown Pakistani skin these conditions often leave dark, and occasionally pale, marks once the rash itself has settled. That pigment change is not scarring in most cases, and it usually fades slowly, over months rather than days. Controlling the inflammation early is the best way to limit how much of it develops. Daily sun protection helps. Your dermatologist can advise what else is worth adding once the skin is calm.

Worried about your skin?

Bring it to a dermatologist. Diagnosis first, honest plan second, treatment only when it genuinely helps.

WhatsApp Us
Or call us daily: 0311 111 7546
WhatsApp