Psoriasis Treatments and Solutions
There is no present cure for psoriasis, but there are a number of drugs and treatments that can relieve and control psoriasis, often for long periods of time. Your doctor may initially recommend:
•Topical therapies – creams, lotions, ointments, mousse and gels that are applied directly to the skin. They may contain different active ingredients, including Vitamin D derivatives; coal tar; topical steroids or Vitamin A derivatives.
If you do not respond to the topical treatments, you may be referred to a dermatologist who can prescribe the following treatments:
•Phototherapy – treatment with ultraviolet light, either with or without a drug (psoralen) that helps the treatment to work, depending on whether the treatment uses UVA or UVB light
•Systemic medication – treatment by oral tablets for people with moderate to severe psoriasis. The different drugs work by slowing down the skin cell renewal rate; suppressing the immune system; calming inflammation. These treatments require ongoing monitoring with blood tests and blood pressure checks, and some tablets cannot be prescribed if you are taking other medications.
•Biological injections – new treatments to treat severe psoriasis that does not respond to any of the above treatments. They work by blocking the action of certain immune cells (T cells) or the chemicals released by them, which play a part in causing psoriasis.
