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Treatment Options
Psoriasis
How is it treated?
While there is no cure for psoriasis, many treatments are available to help reduce or eliminate the symptoms and rash associated with the disease. Because various forms of psoriasis exist and the disease affects everyone differently, no single treatment works best for everyone. Also, because some patients may develop resistance to certain treatments, the treatments a doctor selects for patients could change over time. Doctors who specialize in treating skin conditions, known as dermatologists, may need to be consulted to help decide the best treatment.
Goals of treatment for psoriasis include clearing up the present psoriatic rash and preventing new flare-ups of the rash. Finding the most effective therapy with the fewest side effects is paramount. To accomplish these goals, treatments for psoriasis include topical medications, sunlight or artificial UV light therapy (also called phototherapy), and oral or injectable medications. Sometimes a combination of these treatments may be used. Topical medications and sunlight therapy have the least occurrence of side effects and are generally useful for mild forms of psoriasis. Artificial UV light therapy and oral or injectable medications are reserved for more moderate to severe cases of psoriasis and may have a higher occurrence of side effects. The type of psoriasis and the severity of the psoriasis will help the doctor determine the best treatment approach.
To learn more about how each type of psoriasis is treated, click on the treatment links below. To learn more about the specific medications used to treat psoriasis, click on the Drug Class links below.
Drug classes used to treat Psoriasis Antimetabolites Biologic Response Modifiers Immunosuppressants Retinoids, Oral Retinoids, Topical Topical Steroid & Vitamin D Analogue Combination Topical Steroids Vitamin D Analogues
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Last Updated: December 2007
This content was created by members of the DrugDigest team of experts and is solely under DrugDigest's editorial control.
Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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How is it treated?
