Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis treatment disrupts the life cycle of the production of the skin cells that causes the condition. This helps in reducing the formation of plaque and also the other symptoms associated with the same.
With the correct use of treatment, it is also possible to remove the scale and make the skin smoother.
Psoriasis treatments have been categorized into 3 types: Topical treatments, Phototherapy and Oral / Injected medications.
Topical treatments include different types of creams, ointments and other skin care products that can treat psoriasis. These treatments are given at the initial stages of psoriasis. However, if the condition is severe, it would require a combined treatment of topical agents and oral medications. Some of the most commonly used topical treatments for psoriasis are topical corticosteroids, Anthralin, Vitamin D analogues, Salicylic acid, Topical retinoids, Calcineurin inhibitors, Coal tar and moisturizers.
Your condition will dictate the type of treatment your skin requires.
Phototherapy, also known as Light therapy treats the condition using natural sources of light. Sometimes, artificial light is also used for the purpose. The easiest way to implement this therapy is to expose the effected parts of the skin to natural sunlight. However, you must not overexpose yourself. There are various other methods as well, such as UVB phototherapy, artificial sunlight, Narrowband UVB therapy, Combination light therapy, Excimer laser, Photochemotherapy and others.
Apart from these choices, there are some options for oral / injected medications as well. This method is often tried and is applied for serious cases of psoriasis. When all the other treatments of psoriasis fail, oral medications and the injected medications are the ultimate choice. Retinoids, Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Hydroxyurea and biologics like Immunomodulator drugs.
Usually, doctors would begin by considering the type and the severity of the condition. In all cases, traditional treatment options are implemented at the very first instance. The mildest treatments that include topical creams and ointments for psoriasis are applied after which even phototherapy or light therapy is given. The primary aim of this method of treatment is to slow down the cell turnover, which is important.
Despite all these options, it can be a challenging task to treat psoriasis. As the condition is simply unpredictable, it is possible that a person will have to go through different phases of improvement and aggravation.
The effects of these methods of treatment are equally unpredictable as the condition; if one treatment works for a person A, it might not work for a person B. Using these treatments over an extended period of time can make a person resistant to them. Side effects are also common.
It is important to use any of these psoriasis treatment medications under the supervision of a doctor.