Sunday, July 24, 2011

Treatments for Psoriasis

By Natasha Tishee


Options in managing psoriasis are important for people with this skin condition as it is not curable. Psoriasis treatment whatever form it comes in is there to help relive or ease symptoms to a level that a person can live with. These symptoms include flaking, itching, pain, redness, thick plaques and inflammation as well as the emotional and mental impact of the disease that can leave sufferers feeling depressed, anxious, lonely, bitter and even suicidal. There are a variety of psoriasis treatment choices and the four main options in managing psoriasis are outlined below.

Topical Treatments for Psoriasis - Topical means applying to the skin using forms such as creams, ointments, lotions and for scalp psoriasis shampoos. There are various topical options, moisturizers, natural, coal tar, salicylic, corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues being examples. These can be used on their own to manage the condition if it is a mild form, or alongside other treatment types if it is something more severe.

Treating Psoriasis with Light Therapy - Out of all the main forms of treatment light therapy can be the easiest to get as you can get yourself some regular sunlight exposure each day. But you need to take care you do not burn your skin as this will aggravate the psoriasis. You can also get artificial UVB light therapy, examples include combination light therapy, narrowband UVB therapy, UVB phototherapy, excimer laser therapy and photochemotherapy.

Systemic Psoriasis Treatment - Sometimes a person has a more severe form of psoriasis or it is resistant to topical treatments. When more skin is covered a systemic form of treatment usually oral or injected is used in combination with either light therapy and/or topical treatment. But these medications need to be treated carefully as they come with potential side effects that are very serious including liver failure. You will be monitored by your doctor and if you see signs of any of those side effects you should see a doctor straight away. Methotrexate is a common systemic psoriasis treatment but others include immunomodulator drugs and retinoids.

Things you can do - For some who have a very mild problem only it is possible when considering options in managing psoriasis to make changes to your lifestyle to mange it. For everyone else these changes can be done alongside other treatment. There are several things you can do, take baths using Epsom or dead sea salts, moisturize after bathing, keeping hydrated, a healthy diet and regular exercise, avoiding stress, smoking and alcohol. Live in a place that has a mild climate as too hot or too cold will make your skin worse.




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