Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis treatment is typically administered in a 3-step process: first, topical treatments are applied, then light treatments (phototherapy) are used, and in the final step, psoriasis medications are taken by mouth or injection to treat the entire immune system. Since each treatment has different outcomes for different patients, doctors often use a trial-and-error approach to find a psoriasis treatment that works.

 

An Introduction to Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis treatment is typically based on:
 
  • The severity of the disease
  • Size of the areas involved
  • Type of psoriasis
  • Patient's response to initial psoriasis treatments.
     
This is sometimes called the "1-2-3" approach. In step 1, medicines are applied to the skin (topical psoriasis treatment). Step 2 uses light treatments (phototherapy). Step 3 involves taking psoriasis medications (by mouth or injection) that treat the whole immune system (called systemic therapy).
 
Over time, affected skin can become resistant to psoriasis treatment, especially when topical corticosteroids are used. Also, a psoriasis treatment that works very well in one person may have little effect in another. Thus, doctors often use a trial-and-error approach to find a psoriasis treatment that works, and they may switch treatments periodically (for example, every 12 to 24 months) if a psoriasis treatment does not work or if adverse reactions occur.
 

Topical Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis treatment applied directly to the skin may improve its condition. Doctors find that some patients respond well to ointment or cream forms of:
 
  • Corticosteroids
  • Vitamin D3
  • Retinoids
  • Coal tar
  • Anthralin
  • Salicylic acid
  • Clobetasol propionate
  • Bath solutions
  • Moisturizers.
     
Bath solutions and moisturizers may be soothing, but they are seldom strong enough to improve the condition of the skin. Therefore, they usually are combined with stronger remedies.
(Psoriasis Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD