Treatment of Psoriasis
The treatment of Psoriasis basically aims at interrupting the process of increased cell production in the skin. This in turn results in the reduction of skin inflammation and plaque formation. The purpose of the treatment is also to remove the scales on the skin produced by psoriasis and make the skin smooth again.
The treatment of psoriasis can be classified into three categories – topical treatment using creams and ointments, phototherapy using light, and systemic medications which are taken orally or injected into the body.
Topical treatments
Mild to moderate forms of psoriasis can be treated using topical creams and ointments.
- Topical corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs which slow down the production of skin cells, which is turn reduces skin inflammation and itching. They do this by suppressing the immune system.
- Vitamin D analogues are synthetic forms of vitamin D which can effectively slow down the production of skin cells. Some of these creams can irritate the skin. An expensive topical medication called Calcitriol (Rocaltrol) produces less skin irritation.
- Anthralin is effective in removing scales and making the skin smoother. But it can stain everything that it touches, including skin. It is therefore used for short durations and then washed off.
- Coal tar is probably one of the oldest known treatments for psoriasis. While no one knows how it works, coal tar is effective in reducing itching, scaling and inflammation. Although it is messy and can stain clothing, it has very few side effects.
- Moisturizers can help reduce the scaling and itching but cannot heal psoriasis.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy involves the use of natural light or artificial UV light to treat the skin condition. In the case of sunlight, the skin can be exposed to controlled amounts of natural light as an effective form of treatment. When artificial ultra-violet light is used, either UVA or UVB can be used separately or along with medication.
UVB treatment is sometimes combined with coal tar treatment to achieve better results. Known as Goeckerman therapy, it uses coal tar as the substance is known to improve the skin’s receptivity to UVB light. Different kinds of lasers are also used in the treatment of psoriasis under phototherapy.
Systemic Medications
Mild to moderate cases of psoriasis can most often be treated with topical creams and light therapy. However, systemic medication might be required in severe cases, especially when other forms of treatment fail to prove effective. These medications are administered orally or by injections. Normally there are some side effects associated with medications. Since some of them can be severe, oral or injected medication is often restricted to brief treatment periods. Some types of medication can also be alternated with other types of treatments.
The traditional approach that most physicians take is to start with the mildest form of treatment using topical creams or phototherapy. Medication would be resorted to only when the skin condition is severe and other forms of treatment of Psoriasis fail to produce satisfactory results.
