Live Life Team
Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by genetic and other factors that result in an overactive immune system, leading to a range of symptoms, including itchy, scaly patches of skin, pustules on the hands and feet, nail damage and joint pain.
As yet there is no cure for the condition, but there are a number of possible treatments that can significantly ease the severity of psoriasis symptoms. Finding the correct combination of treatments can be a question of trial and error, though in prescribing medication, doctors will be guided by key factors including the severity of your psoriasis symptoms, the treatments that you have already tried and any other complicating medical issues such as allergies.
The first line of treatment is usually a type of preparation that is applied directly to the skin. There is a wide range of options including lotions, oils, creams and shampoos. Some of these treatments are based on corticosteroids which help to calm HYPERLINK “https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/about-inflammation” inflammation, while others rely on salicylic acid to remove scales. Other skin application treatments include vitamin D-based formulas, retinoids such as tazarotene and tar treatments.
For patients with more severe psoriasis symptoms, affecting up to 20 percent of their skin, doctors can prescribe other treatments. One option is phototherapy, also known as light therapy. This involves exposing affected skin to ultraviolet light, which can be done in hospital or by using a phototherapy device in your own home. Another option is laser treatment, which can target a small area of psoriatic skin using a focused UVB light.
In some cases, the symptoms of psoriasis don’t respond to topical applications or light treatment, so, your doctor may prescribe pills. They are several medications designed to tackle moderate to severe psoriasis, including HYPERLINK “https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5571/acitretin+oral/details” acitretin, apremilast and HYPERLINK “https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20909/methotrexate+sodium+oral/details” methotrexate
These drugs can cause significant side effects; however, so another option is biologic medication, a newer form of drug that comes with fewer side effects. These work by suppressing the immune system that causes the symptoms, although they carry a small risk of the patient developing serious infection or even cancer. Adalimumab is one biologic used to treat psoriasis. Others included brodalumab, infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept.
As well as these medical options, it is also possible to tackle the symptoms of psoriasis by making significant lifestyle changes. It is believed that the immune system responds to stress in the same way as it does to infection, which can lead to psoriasis outbreaks. Learning and employing relaxation techniques can sometimes reduce the prevalence of psoriasis flare-ups, along with cutting out heavy drinking or smoking, as these increase the risk of symptoms.
While there is as yet no cure for psoriasis, there is a wide range of options for dealing with the painful and distressing symptoms, and many psoriasis patients have found that they can alleviate these physical problems by adopting an effective treatment plan under the care of their doctor or other trained medical professional.
