Psoriasis Treatments

Psoriasis treatment is challenging for most psoriasis patients because of the unpredictable nature of the disease.

No single psoriasis treatment works for every psoriasis patient, but something will work for most people. You need to consult with their doctor and try different psoriasis treatments before you find the one that's the best psoriasis for you. A lot depends on the type of psoriasis, its location on the body, its severity, age and medical history.

Psoriasis treatments are usually divided into several categories.

Topical psoriasis treatments are the kind that are applied directly to the skin. Systemic psoriasis treatments work throughout the body.

If your psoriasis is mild or moderate, your doctor probably will suggest a topical treatment first. Topical psoriasis treatments include ointments, gels or lotions that may contain steroids or coal tar. Steroids are man-made drugs that are created to resemble hormones that occur naturally in the body. Coal tar has been used for centuries as a treatment for the scaling, inflammation and itching of psoriasis.

If the psoriasis is moderate to severe, your doctor may administer ultraviolet light treatment. This type of psoriasis treatment involves exposing the skin to a particular wavelength of light. It is a common, safe and very effective treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis.

If topical or ultraviolet light don't work, then systemic psoriasis medications may be in order. They are called "systemic" because they work throughout the body to treat psoriasis, instead of only on top of the skin. Systemic medications include methotrexate, cyclosporine and oral retinoids. These are all available by prescription.

Recently a new category of drugs called "biologics" has come along. These block or "turn off" certain processes within the immune system that can lead to psoriasis. Biologics are made from living sources, such as viruses, animals and people, and they have to be injected or infused into the body, rather than taken orally. Biologics target very specific parts of the immune response. In theory at least, they could have fewer side effects than existing drugs.

Amevive was recently approved for treating psoriasis. Amevive blocks a misstep in the immune system-the activation of T cells. Activated T cells fuel the development of psoriasis lesions by causing skin cells to develop and mature at a rate that's faster than normal.

Efalizumab is in development for psoriasis. Efalizumab is an antibody that's biologically similar to other human antibodies, so it can can work in the body without being attacked by the immune system.

Enbrel has been approved for psoriatic arthritis treatment, and is in development for psoriasis.

Infliximab is also in development for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

Treating the itching of psoriasis

Itching that is associated with psoriasis happens because certain chemicals stimulate nerve fibers just below the outer layer of the skin.

One of the most effective ways for people with psoriasis to control itch is by keeping the skin moisturized. Dry skin induces and aggravates itch. Simply pressing a wet towel against the itchy spot appears to help. Cold showers and cold packs may offer relief.

Other psoriasis treatments for itch include antihistamines, steroids, capsaicin, topical anesthetics, topical immunomodulators, antidepressants and aspirin.