Psoriasis Treatments

There are five different types of psoriasis, but they are all characterized by skin discomfort and itching. In severe cases, these symptoms can make getting a good night's sleep a challenge. People with psoriasis may even find it difficult to carry out normal activities. To make matters worse, psoriasis lesions, depending on their location and severity, can be unsightly and cause embarrassment.

Psoriasis can negatively impact your quality of life, but armed with knowledge about the latest psoriasis medications, you can successfully manage your condition and get back in the swing of things. Remember, it may take a while for you and your doctor to find the treatment that works best for you, so it's very important to be patient and to follow specific dosage and application instructions. You can get psoriasis relief!

Systemic Psoriasis Medications

Antibiotics are used when secondary infections occur, usually from scratching too vigorously or from open sores. In this case, your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics in pill form. Be sure to take all of the medicine prescribed, even if your infection seems to have cleared up.

Biologics are a new class of psoriasis medicines derived from proteins. They are usually given by injection and heal psoriasis by slowing down the body's immune responses. They are only used in severe cases due to their potential side effects.

Immunosuppressants, like biologics, work by suppressing the body's immune responses. And like the biologics, these prescription tablets or pills are only used to treat severe cases of psoriasis.

Topical Psoriasis Treatments

Anthralin is a time-honored psoriasis treatment that comes in a prescription cream or ointment and may be used either as an overnight treatment or a short-term treatment left on for as little as 10 minutes, depending on the severity and location of the psoriasis. Anthralin stains everything it touches, so make sure you wear plastic gloves when you apply it. Oddly enough, anthralin can actually irritate normal skin that's not affected by psoriasis, so be sure to apply it carefully and only on affected skin.

Coal and pine tar products are another time-honored psoriasis treatment. As a prescription or over-the-counter cream or ointment, coal and pine tar help stop the itching and calm inflamed skin. Unfortunately these treatments come with a price: They have a very strong fragrance, which some people find unpleasant. Be careful not to get tar on raw skin or open sores.

Corticosteroids come in a variety of concentrations and may be given as an over-the-counter or prescription cream, ointment, gel, tape, spray or foam. They are some of the most effective and widely used psoriasis medications. Corticosteroids are easy to apply, non-staining and fragrance-free. Be sure to follow the dosage and application instructions.

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that comes as a cream, lotion, ointment or gel, either over-the-counter or as a prescription, depending on the potency. Salicylic acid treats psoriasis by removing scales and flakes without scrubbing. Use care when applying this acid as it can irritate the skin if used incorrectly or too frequently.

And last but not least, there are the relatively new vitamin-based products. Calcipotriene, which is made from vitamin D, comes as a cream, ointment or water-based solution and can control scaling and flaking. Tazorotene, a vitamin A derivative, comes in a gel or cream and reduces redness and minimizes plaques and scales. These psoriasis treatments are available by prescription only due to their potential side effects, one of which is increased sensitivity to the sun's rays.

Ultraviolet Light Therapy

Also called "phototherapy," ultraviolet light therapy is used for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. Although it can be very effective, it requires frequent visits to your doctor's office, sometimes as many as five a week for three weeks. And unfortunately, a trip to the beach to sunbathe will not be an effective alternative.

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