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Psoriasis Free for Life Psoriasis Essentials
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Related Video LinksScalp Psoriasis, Scalp Psoriasis Pictures, Scalp Psoriasis Hair Loss, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Scalp Problems, Scalp Conditions, Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms, Scalp Psoriasis Emedicine, Scalp Psoriasis Contagious |
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Article ContentTREATMENT OF PSORIASIS
While psoriasis cannot be cured, a number of treatment options can help control psoriasis.
A patient's health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis determine which treatment options are appropriate. Gaining control over psoriasis may require different types of treatment and several visits to your dermatologist.
To help patients control psoriasis, a dermatologist may prescribe medications to apply to the skin. These medications may contain cortisone compounds, retinoids, tar, or anthralin. These may be used in combination with natural sunlight or another ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. The more severe forms of psoriasis may require oral or injectable medications with or without UV light treatment.
TYPES OF TREATMENT
TOPICALS
Corticosteroids (cortisone)
Cortisone is a medication that reduces inflammation. Cortisone creams, ointments, and lotions may clear the skin temporarily and control the condition in many patients. Weaker preparations should be used on more sensitive areas of the body such as the genitals, armpits and face. Stronger preparations will usually be needed to control lesions on the scalp, elbows, knees, palms, soles, and parts of the torso. Dressing may be applied to enhance the effectiveness of the medication. Corticosteroids must be used cautiously and with your dermatologist's instructions. Side effects of stronger cortisone preparations include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, stretch marks, and skin color changes. Stopping these medications suddenly may result in a flare-up.
When used for many months, psoriasis can become resistant to the corticosteroid. Difficult-to-treat spots may be treated with an injection of a corticosteroid.
Retinoids
This medication may be used alone or in combination with topical corticosteroids for treatment of localized psoriasis. Women who are, or may become, pregnant should not use topical retinoids.
Goeckerman Treatment
Named after the Mayo Clinic dermatologist who first reported it, this treatment combines coal tar dressings with UV light. Used to treat patients with severe psoriasis, Goeckerman treatment is performed daily for a prescribed amount of time. UV exposure times vary with the type of psoriasis and the sensitivity of the patient's skin. Access to this therapy is limited because only a few specialized centers in the United States offer it.
Anthralin
Often effective on tough-to-treat thick patches of psoriasis, anthralin decreases the skin's rapid growth rate and reduces inflammation. Newer preparations and treatment methods minimize the traditional side effects of skin irritation and staining.
Coal Tar
For more than 100 years, coal tar has been used safely and effectively to treat psoriasis. Today's products are greatly improved and less messy. Stronger prescriptions can be made specifically to treat difficult areas.
Calcipotriene
Useful for individuals with localized psoriasis, calcipotriene may be combined with other treatments. Be sure to apply calpotriene as instructed by your dermatologist to avoid side effects, such as skin irritation.
Light Therapy
Ultraviolet (UV) light, which is found in sunlight, slows the rapid growth of skin cells. Patients with psoriasis may receive light therapy treatments at a dermatologist's office, psoriasis center, or hospital. Psoriasis patients who live in warm climates may be directed to carefully sunbathe. Under a dermatologist's care, light therapy offers many patients a safe and effective treatment option. Seek the advice of your dermatologist before self-treating with natural or artificial UV light.
Patients who receive light therapy at the medical facility may receive UVB light therapy, PUVA, or Goeckerman treatment.
PUVA
An acronym, PUVA stands for "psoralen + UVA," which are the two components of this treatment. Used to treat widespread psoriasis and psoriasis that has not responded to other therapies, PUVA is effective in approximately 85% of cases. To receive PUVA, a patient is given a drug called psoralen, which may be taken orally or applied to the psoriasis. The patient is then exposed to a carefully measured amount of a special form of ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Because psoralen remains in the lens of the eye, patients must wear UVA-blocking eyeglasses when exposed to sunlight from the time the psoralen is taken until sunset that day. Clearing usually occurs after approximately 25 PUVA treatments, which are given over a two- or three-month period. Keeping psoriasis under control requires about 30 to 40 treatments a year. PUVA treatments over a long period increase the risk of premature aging, freckling, and skin cancer. Dermatologists and their staff monitor PUVA treatment very carefully.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) Light
This treatment exposes the skin to a wavelength of UV light called UVB. The therapy may be used alone or in combination with topical or systemic treatments. To receive UVB therapy, a patient either enters a light box that surrounds the patient or stands in front of a light panel. About 24 treatments over a two-month period are needed for clearing. Although UVB is very safe and effective, it does have possible side effects that include burns, freckling, and premature aging. Risks of skin cancer appear to be no greater than the risk caused by sun exposure.
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