Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder. People with psoriasis experience periodic flare-ups of well-defined, red patches covered by a silvery, flaky skin on the extensor surfaces and the scalp. Psoriasis treatment options have improved dramatically over the past 10 years and now many people who truly suffered "the heartbreak of psoriasis" have clear or greatly improved skin. But even with the great strides in treatment we've experienced, there are people who still struggle with psoriasis every day.

There are many different treatment options for people with psoriasis. Some are old standbys and others rely on cutting-edge technology. This overview of psoriasis treatments shows the wide range of options dermatologists have at their disposal.

Topical Psoriasis Treatments

Topical psoriasis treatments are medications that are applied to the skin. Topical medications are the most commonly prescribed treatment for psoriasis, and they work well for mild to moderate psoriasis. In fact, 70-80% of all psoriasis sufferers are treated with topical medications.

Sometimes psoriasis can be treated with just one medication, but doctors often use a combination of medications because they work better together and reduce side effects.

More About Topical Psoriasis Treatments

Traditional Oral Psoriasis Treatments

For decades, oral medications have been used successfully to treat moderate to severe psoriasis, especially if the person also has frequent recurrences. Through different methods, these medications prevent skin cells from multiplying so quickly and calm down the overactive cells of the immune system. Each of the following medications also has serious potential side effects that limit who can take them and how long they can be taken:

• Methotrexate
• Cyclosporine
• Acitretin

Phototherapy

Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to different bands of UV radiation. Phototherapy is used for moderately severe psoriasis to help it go into remission, but the treatment is not practical long-term because there is a higher risk of developing skin cancer the longer phototherapy is used.

The two main types of phototherapy are:

• Narrowband UVB: The skin is exposed to UVB at 311nm regularly for short periods of time.
• Psoralen and UVA (PUVA): A medication is taken by mouth or applied to affected skin, and then the skin is exposed to UVA radiation regularly for short periods of time.

Immunobiologic Psoriasis Treatments

This new class of medication has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis because they are very effective and well-tolerated. These medications consist of proteins that are made from manufactured DNA sequences, and they target the cells or chemicals that play a major role in psoriasis. Most of the side effects from the following medications are related to the fact that they are suppressing a part of the immune system:

• Enbrel (eteneracept)
• Remicade (infliximib)
• Humira (adalibamub)
• Amevive (alefacept)
• Stelara (ustekinumab)

_Sources:

_{Habif, Thomas. "Psoriasis and other Papulosquamous Diseases." Clinical Dermatology, 4th Ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, 2004. 209-66.}

_{Levine, D, and A Gottlieb. "Evaluation and management of psoriasis: an internist's guide." Medical Clinics of North America. 93(2009): 1291-303.}

_{Menter, A, and CE Griffiths. "Current and future management of psoriasis." Lancet. 370(2007): 272-84.}

_{Mrowietz, U, and K Reich. "Psoriasis--new insights into pathogenesis and treatment." Dtsch Arztebl Int. 106(2009): 11-8, quiz 19.}

_{van de Kerhof, PCM and Joost Schalkwijk. "Psoriasis." Dermatology, 2nd Ed. Eds. Jean Bolognia, and et. al. Mosby, 2008. 115-35.}