Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by circular, red patches with silvery scales. Fortunately, you can learn everything you need to know about psoriasis with a search online right now, which could help you find ideal treatments.
It can most commonly be found on the scalp, lower back, and buttocks. Luckily, a range of topical treatments, light therapy, biologics, systemic treatments, and natural treatments can ease those symptoms.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments for psoriasis are applied to the outer layer of skin. They are often the first treatment recommended for a newly diagnosed person.
Topical treatments are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, or just “steroids” for short, are the most frequently used treatment for psoriasis. They are potent anti-inflammatory agents that reduce the inflammation and redness present in psoriatic lesions.
Be careful as potential side effects include skin thinning, changes in pigmentation, and easy bruising. Therefore, you should not use a corticosteroid for longer than three weeks without consulting your doctor.
Vitamin D3 Analogs
Vitamin D3 analogs work by slowing down or normalizing excessive skin cell growth, a hallmark of psoriasis. Calcipotriene (Dovonex), a synthetic form of vitamin D3, or calcitriol (Vectical), a natural form of vitamin D3, can be used alone or in combination with topical corticosteroids.
The most common side effect of these topical agents is skin irritation. Calcitriol causes less skin irritation than calcipotriene.
Tazarotene
Tazarotene (Tazorac) is a topical retinoid which slow skin cell growth. It can be used alone or in combination with a topical corticosteroid.
When using tazarotene, it is common for psoriatic plaques to become very red. Don’t worry because this happens just before they clear.
The most common side effects associated with tazarotene include skin irritation, dry skin, and increased susceptibility to sunburn.
Calcineurin Inhibitors
Calcineurin inhibitors — such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) — reduce inflammation and the buildup of psoriatic plaques. Although they are not as effective as topical corticosteroids, they can be useful in areas with thin skin, where steroids may cause harmful side effects.
Despite some users of Protopic and Elidel developing skin cancer and lymphoma, it remains unclear whether they increase your risk of these diseases.
Anthralin
Introduced in 1916, anthralin is one of the original topical medications used for the treatment of psoriasis. It works by slowing the rapid skin cell production associated with psoriasis, making skin smoother. It is available in either cream, gel, or shampoo formulations.
The most common side effects of this medication are skin irritation and staining of clothing and bedding. The staining caused by anthralin can be mitigated by washing it off 20 to 30 minutes after application.
Coal Tar
Coal tar can slow the rapid growth of skin cells as well as reduce the inflammation, itching, and scaling of psoriasis. It is available OTC in shampoos, lotions, and creams. Plus, it can be used in combination with topical corticosteroids or ultraviolet (UV) B light therapy.
There is controversy over whether coal tar causes skin cancer at very high concentrations. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that the tar in OTC products is causes cancer.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a peeling agent (keratolytic) and causes the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, to shed. As a result, it softens psoriatic scales, facilitates their removal, and increases the absorption of other topical agents.
Available OTC, salicylic acid is especially useful as an agent for the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
Light Therapy
Light therapy — also referred to as phototherapy — involves exposing the skin to UV light on a regular basis. Usually, it is done under medical supervision. In particular, a dermatologist. For treatments, they can be done in a doctor’s office or at home with a phototherapy unit.
UVB Light Therapy
There are two types of UVB light treatment: broad band and narrow band. They are administered with an artificial light source. It penetrates beneath the skin to slow the growth of skin cells.
Common short-term side effects of UVB light therapy may include redness, itching, and dry skin.
Goeckerman Therapy
Named after the American dermatologist William Goeckerman, Goeckerman therapy combines UVB light therapy with coal tar treatment. Combining these two therapies makes them more effective than either alone. This is because coal tar makes the skin more sensitive to UVB light.
With the increasing use of biologics, there has been a shift away from this form of light therapy.
Psoralen plus UVA
UVA light treatment is relatively ineffective for psoriasis unless it’s combined with the light-sensitizing medication psoralen.
Psoralen is an oral medication. Its most common side effect is nausea.
In order to make this light treatment effective for psoriasis, psoralen is taken approximately one hour before UVA therapy.
Excimer Laser
Excimer laser therapy only targets abnormal areas of skin without harming healthy skin. As such, it requires fewer sessions than traditional light therapy.
Common side effects include skin redness and blistering.
Biologics
Also called immunomodulatory agents, biologics are medications that alter your immune system. They are typically utilized if you have moderate to severe psoriasis.
All the medications in this group are injectable, except apremilast (Otezla), which is oral. Additionally, tofacitinib (Xeljanz) is an oral immunomodulator specifically used for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis — one of the most dreaded complications of the disease.
Other biologics used in the treatment of psoriasis include:
- Etanercept (Enbrel);
- Infliximab (Remicade);
- Adalimumab (Humira);
- Ustekinumab (Stelara);
- Secukinumab (Cosentyx), and;
- Ixekizumab (Taltz).
Systemic Treatments
Systemic treatments for psoriasis are typically reserved for those with moderate to severe psoriasis or forms of psoriasis resistant to other types of treatment. All the medications in this group are taken orally.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate has been around since the 1970s. Originally used as a cancer drug, it was later found to inhibit a key enzyme in the rapid growth of skin cells. As a result, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of psoriasis, with an “off-label” (unapproved) use for psoriatic arthritis.
Since methotrexate can cause severe liver and kidney damage, periodic blood tests are recommended. Additionally, this medication decreases both red and white blood cells.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine can provide rapid relief of psoriatic symptoms. In fact, it can provide relief in as little as two weeks. As a result, it’s mostly used in the short term, which is between three and four months.
However, the FDA recommends cyclosporine be taken for no longer than one year. This is because the medication may make you more susceptible to kidney disease, infections, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Acitretin
Acitretin (Soriatane) is the only oral synthetic retinoid currently FDA-approved for the treatment of psoriasis. It is most effective when combined with light therapy.
The medication can cause serious birth defects, which is why women should avoid pregnancy for at least three years after taking acitretin.
“Off-Label” Systemic Treatments
“Off-label” systemic medications are not FDA-approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These include:
- Hydroxyurea (Hydrea);
- Isotretinoin (Accutane);
- Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and;
- 6-thioguanine (Tabloid).
Natural Treatments
Many patients with psoriasis have an interest in natural treatments for their disease. These natural treatments are born out of the burgeoning realm of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
Some of the more popular herbal and natural remedies include:
- Turmeric;
- Aloe vera;
- Capsaicin;
- Apple cider vinegar;
- Tea tree oil;
- Colloidal oatmeal;
- Dead Sea or Epsom salts, and;
- Oregon grape.
In addition to these remedies, mind-body therapies, such as regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi, have helped with managing psoriasis.
Most CAM therapies are safe, but most of the evidence for their effectiveness is anecdotal or inconclusive. In order to avoid any dangerous interactions with medications you may be taking, make sure to consult your doctor before initiating any of the CAM therapies for your psoriasis.
Outlook
Finding the right psoriasis treatment or combination of psoriasis treatments can be difficult. After all, what works for one psoriasis patient may not work for another.
The intent of this article is to help you understand your options when it comes to the treatment of your psoriasis. Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment or combination of treatments to reduce or eliminate psoriatic signs and symptoms.