Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes rashes, itchy skin, and scaly patches on the elbows, knees, and scalp. It can be painful at times. Treatment of psoriasis is available but getting the most effective treatment for you can be challenging. Treatment falls under three categories. They are topical, phototherapy, and systemic.
Topical treatments
The initial form of treatment prescribed by the doctor for Psoriasis is a topical treatment, especially if it is mild or moderate. These are ointments and creams you apply to the areas. Some may find that this treatment is all they require, although it can take at least a month before you see any noticeable effect.
Emollients are moisturizers applied to the skin and covered with a film to reduce moisture loss. For mild psoriasis, the GP usually suggests an emollient. The main advantage of emollients is their ability to retain moisture to reduce scaling and itching. They can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Steroid ointments or creams reduce itching and inflammation and slow skin cell production. They can be either mild or strong but must be prescribed by the doctor. Stronger topical treatments should only be applied on small areas or thick patches as overusing them can cause skin thinning.
Phototherapy
This treatment of Psoriasis uses artificial and natural light to slow down the production of skin cells. The three types of phototherapies used for the treatment of Psoriasis are ultraviolet phototherapy, Psoralen plus ultraviolet A, and combination light therapy. The treatments can be taken in hospitals and some health centers.
Ultraviolet B phototherapy uses a light wavelength that is invisible to our eyes and is effective for some psoriasis that does not respond well to topical treatments. You may be required to visit the hospital thrice a week for 2 months. However, each session takes only a few minutes.
For Psoralen plus ultraviolet A, your skin is made sensitive. Then the doctor uses a light that penetrates deep into your skin to treat severe psoriasis. Prolonged usage of this treatment is not encouraged as it can cause skin cancer. Combination light therapy uses a combination of ointments or creams alongside light therapy.
Systemic
If your psoriasis condition is severe, then the doctor may prescribe systemic treatments that work throughout the body. These treatments can be effective, but they have potentially severe side effects. Systemic treatment can be either non-biological or biological. Talk to your doctor to know the risks associated with each.
The non-biological medications for psoriasis are Methotrexate, Ciclosporin, and Acitretin. Methotrexate slows down skin cell production and can cause nausea. Ciclosporin suppresses inflammation but can lead to high blood pressure. Acitretin is prescribed if you have not responded well to other types of treatment.
Biological treatments of psoriasis reduce skin inflammation by targeting the cells that are overactive in your immune system. They include Etanercept, Adalimumab, Infliximab, and Ustekinumab. They are only prescribed if you have a serious condition of psoriasis, or cannot use other treatments, or have not responded well.
