Common treatments for psoriasis
There is no once-and-for-all cure for psoriasis. Treatment aims to clear the rash as much as possible. However, as psoriasis tends to flare up from time-to-time, you may need courses of treatment 'on and off' throughout your life.
There are various treatments that are used to treat psoriasis. There is no 'best buy' that suits everybody. The treatment advised by your doctor may depend on the severity, site, and the type of psoriasis. Also, one treatment may work well in one person, but not in another. It is not unusual to try a different treatment if the first one does not work so well.
Many of the treatments are creams or ointments. As a rule, you have to apply creams or ointments correctly for best results. It usually takes several weeks of treatment to clear plaques of psoriasis. Make sure you know exactly how to use whatever treatment is prescribed. For example, some preparations should not be used on the skin creases (flexures), on the face or on broken skin, and some should not be used if you are pregnant. Do ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are unsure as to how to use your treatment, and for how long.
The following is a brief overview of the more commonly used treatments for plaque and scalp psoriasis. Treatments of the less common forms of psoriasis are similar, but are not dealt with here. Your doctor will advise.
Not treating may be an option
Many people have a few patches of psoriasis that are not too bad or not in a noticeable place. In this situation, some people do not want any treatment. If you opt for no treatment, you can always change your mind at a later time if the rash changes or gets worse.
Moisturisers (Emollients)
These are not 'active' treatments but help to soften hard skin and plaques. They may reduce scaling and itch. There are many different brands of moisturiser creams and ointments. A moisturiser may be all that you need for very mild psoriasis. You can also use one in addition to any other treatment, as often as needed, to keep the skin supple and moist.
Vitamin D based creams such as calcipotriol, calcitriol and tacalcitrol
These are popular and often work well to clear plaque psoriasis. They seem to work by affecting the rate of cell division in skin cells. They are easy to use, are less messy, and have less of a smell than coal tar or dithranol creams and ointments (below). They can cause irritation in some people and should not be used on the face. There is also a scalp preparation of calcipotriol. Note: they may not be suitable for pregnant or breast feeding women.
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