Topical Treatment
Psoriasis treatments (such as creams and ointments) applied right on the skin may help. Treatments can:
- Help reduce swelling and skin cell turnover
- Suppress the immune system
- Help the skin peel and unclog pores
- Reduce cell turnover and swelling.
Bath solutions and lotions may feel good, but they rarely make the skin better. They are often used along with stronger psoriasis treatments.
Light Therapy
Natural ultraviolet light from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light are used to treat psoriasis. One treatment, called PUVA, uses a combination of a
psoriasis medication that makes skin more sensitive to light and ultraviolet A light.
Systemic Therapy
If the psoriasis is severe, doctors might prescribe psoriasis medications or give it through a shot. This is called systemic treatment. Antibiotics are not used to treat psoriasis unless bacteria make the psoriasis worse.
Combination Therapy
If you choose to combine topical, light, and systemic treatments, you can often lower the doses of each. Combination psoriasis therapy can also lead to better results.
Doctors are currently learning more about psoriasis by studying:
- Genes
- New treatments that help skin not react to the immune system
- Laser light treatment on thick patches.
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