Treatment Options for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects approximately 1 to 2 percent of the population. In the United States, over 7 million people suffer from this chronic and sometimes embarrassing skin condition. Flare ups come and go, and you may be in remission for years only to have it flare up unexpectedly. It is not know what causes psoriasis, but scientists have hope in genetic research since the skin disease seems to run in families. It is not contagious, but it can be unsightly and cause stress and social anxiety in some people. The good news is that there are several treatment options, including topical lotions and creams, injections, and oral medications. Light therapy has also shown to be effective in alleviating breakouts and the appearance of psoriasis.

Topical Medications

A topical medication is applied directly to the skin. Steroids are popular treatments for psoriasis because they have anti-inflammatory properties and help to reduce the redness and swelling of affected areas. Topical steroids do not pose the health risks that oral steroid do and are considered very safe for most people. A combination of synthetic vitamin D3 and vitamin A, known as anthralin, is also a common topical treatment. The FDA has approved a combination of salicylic acid and coal tar for topical treatment. Some products also contain aloe vera, capsaicin, zinc pyrithione, and jojoba to provide soothing and moisturizing properties. Topical treatments may be over-the-counter or prescription strength.

Light Therapy

Light therapy has proven to be very effective in the treatment of psoriasis. There are three common types of light therapy: UVB light therapy, sun therapy, and laser therapy. Each one helps to slow the growth of cells deep within your skin and help to lessen the severity of breakouts. At first, your psoriasis may appear to worsen, but with consistent application of light therapy, it will begin to lessen. One of the main points to remember about light therapy is that it is the most effective when you are consistent. It is administered either in a doctor’s office or clinic or at home under a doctor’s orders and supervision.

In UVB therapy, your skin is exposed to UVB rays for a specified time on a regular schedule. The ultraviolet light penetrates your skin and slows down the growth of excess skin cells. Using the sun to treat psoriasis takes care as some medications used to treat the skin condition make your skin very sensitive to the sun’s rays. You should follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter to avoid receiving sun damage. Pulse lasers work by destroying the small blood vessels that contribute to lesions. There may be some bruising after pulse laser treatment, but that clears up in a short time. While some people use tanning beds on their own to treat their psoriasis, dermatologists stress that most tanning beds emit UVA rays that are ineffective for treatment and may put you as risk for sun damage to your skin.

Systemic Medications

Systemic medications are taken by mouth or by injection and are normally used for the treatment of severe cases. A systemic medication is spread by the bloodstream and lymphatic system and spread to the entire body. Biologics differ because they are given by injection or IV and target specific areas of the body affected by psoriasis. Biologics are a new class of medications and are relatively new. They are derived from living cells and have been used to treat many other conditions for years, but it is just recently they have been developed to treat psoriasis.

Traditional medications include acitretin, cyclosporine, and methotrexate. These are the FDA-approved medications for systemic treatment of psoriasis. Doctors sometimes prescribe other medications for the treatment of psoriasis. These include Hydrea (hydroxyurea), isotretinoin, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, and 6-Thioguanine. While these medications are used for a variety of conditions such as cancer and leukemia, they have also shown to help psoriasis.

Although psoriasis can be a painful and uncomfortable skin condition that can cause embarrassment and interfere with the quality of life, there are several treatment options that your dermatologist may prescribe. You may need a combination of treatment depending upon the severity of your condition. You may have to live with psoriasis, but with proper treatment you can still have a vibrant and active life.