Treating Psoriasis and Coming Out from Hiding

There is no way yet to completely cure psoriasis but it is possible to treat its symptoms. But not every treatment will work on every individual. The kind of treatment your doctor will choose will depend on your specific psoriasis type and the intensity of your condition. Here are some possible treatments for psoriasis.

Topical Steroids

These are also known as corticosteroids. When applied on the affected areas, these medicines reduce inflammation and redness. It is believed that corticosteroids act on the over active immune system to bring about symptom relief. Since there are different kinds of steroids, it is important to ask your doctor how and when to use your medication properly. Using this type of medication incorrectly could hamper treatment or make your condition worse.

Tar

Coal tar seems to be effective in relieving psoriasis inflammation although it is not entirely known how it treats the condition. Tar can now be found in special shampoos, gels and creams and is especially recommended for plaque and scalp psoriasis. The only disadvantage to this treatment is that it smells bad and can be messy to use.

Retinoids

Retinoids have often been used in skin care products. In oral or topical medications for psoriasis, this ingredient can decrease skin cell generation. Retinoids however can cause defects in the fetus even after some weeks have passed after a prospective mother has stopped taking it.

Vitamin D Compounds

Psoriasis treatment may come in the form of artificially synthesized vitamin D contained in creams and ointments. This can hamper the production of cells and reduce inflammation. Some medicines of this type however may bring about temporary skin irritation.

Sunlight

As a mild form of psoriasis treatment, sun exposure is often one of the first ones to be recommended before progressing to stronger forms of treatment. Short and small daily doses of sunlight may effectively kill off the immune system cells that are causing skin cell overgrowth. Too much exposure to the sun though may cause severe damage to the skin.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) Light

This treatment is often resorted to when topical medicines or other milder forms of treatment do not work. This involves exposing the area to a carefully controlled artificial UVB light source. Treatment may last for a couple of weeks. The type used may be broadband or narrowband. You can have this treatment performed by a doctor or you can bring home a special unit which you can use with your doctor’s directions.

Psolaren Plus Ultraviolet A (PUVA)

Psolaren is actually medication that can make one’s skin more sensitive to light. It can help relieve psoriasis symptoms when used with ultraviolet light for a specific number of times for a set period. Like UVB therapy PUVA is usually reserved for severe cases. When used too much or incorrectly, a person could be placed at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Biologics

These are drugs that have been manufactured from proteins that naturally occur in living creatures. These drugs are either injected or infused with the help of a doctor. These medicines work by suppressing the actions of some cells in the immune system.