There is currently no cure for psoriasis. Treatment for psoriasis is focused on controlling the symptoms and reducing flare-ups.

Types of Treatments

Treatment for psoriasis includes:

• Topical therapy
• Light therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Alternative medications and therapies

Topical therapy – Topical therapy for psoriasis includes:

Corticosteroids – Corticosteroids can help to reduce the inflammation of psoriasis. Corticosteroids may be prescribed as a cream, ointment, gel, or foam. Corticosteroids used to the treatment of psoriasis include topical triamcinolone and clobestasol.

Vitamin D analogues – Vitamin D analogues, such as calcipotriene and calcitriol, are synthetic forms of Vitamin D that help decrease the rate of skin growth in psoriasis. Vitamin D analogues may be combined with corticosteroids ointments or creams.

Retinoids – Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and can improve skin conditions in psoriasis. Retinoids may be given as a gel or cream.

Calcineurin inhibitors – Calcineurin inhibitors, such as pimecrolimus, help to reduce inflammation and plaque formation in psoriasis.

Salicylic acid – Salicylic acid can be used via shampoos and scalp solutions to treat scalp psoriasis.

Coal tar – Coal tar helps to reduce the inflammation, itching, and scaling associated with psoriasis. Coal tar can be used as a shampoo, cream, or oil.

Goeckerman therapy – Goeckerman therapy is a combination of coal tar combined with light therapy. Goeckerman therapy is more effective for psoriasis than either treatment alone.

Anthralin – Anthralin is a tar cream that can help to decrease the skin growth in psoriasis and remove the scales.

Light therapy – Light therapy is often the first line of treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Light therapy may be used in combination with other treatments.

Types of light therapy can be used in the treatment of psoriasis include:

Sunlight – Daily exposure to sunlight may improve psoriasis.

UVB broadband – UVB broadband light therapy can be given in controlled doses to treat psoriasis patches, body-wide psoriasis, or psoriasis that has not improved with topical therapy.

UVB narrowband – UVB narrowband may work better than UVB broadband. This combined therapy may be used two or three times a week to improve skin in psoriasis.

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A – This treatment for psoriasis uses both light therapy and medication to make the skin respond better to treatment.

Excimer laser – This light therapy for the treatment of psoriasis uses more powerful UVB light directed at only the affected skin.

Other oral medications– If psoriasis does not respond to topical or light therapies or is severe, other oral drugs be given.

Oral medications used for the treatment of psoriasis may include:

• Adalimumab
• Apremilast
• Cyclosporine
• Etanercept
• Hydroxyurea
• Infliximab
• Ixekizumab
• Methotrexate
• Secukinumab
• Thioguanine
• Ustekinumab

Alternative medicine – Some alternative therapies for psoriasis may help to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Before using any alternative therapies, be certain to discuss these with your doctor.

• Alternative therapies for psoriasis may include:
• Dietary supplements, such as fish oil
• Special diets
• Herbs or berries, such as barberry
• Creams, such as aloe extract
• Essential oils to reduce stress and anxiety

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with psoriasis to reduce symptoms and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022