Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriatic disease. There are, however, several effective treatments available to control your psoriasis.1
Treatment applied to the surface of your skin (topical treatment) is sufficient alone in most patients.1 Examples of topical treatments are emollients (moisturisers), topical steroids, coal tar and vitamin-D like compounds which help to reduce the skin inflammation caused by psoriasis.5
Moisturize your skin very well if you have psoriasis, especially right after taking a shower or a bath.2 It is also good to consult a doctor to know which treatment would work best for you.
While topical treatment is sufficient alone in most patients, for people with more extensive or difficult to treat psoriasis, several options are also available:
Phototherapy is ultraviolet light delivered in a controlled way to treat psoriasis. A course of treatment usually takes about 8-10 weeks and will require treatment sessions two to three times a week. This usually means attending a Phototherapy Unit in a hospital.1
Two types of light are used: narrowband ultraviolet B light (nbUVB/TLO1) and ultraviolet A light (PUVA). The latter requires a sensitiser, known as a psoralen that can be taken as a tablet or added to a bath prior to treatment.1 Long-term use of this treatment is not encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.3
A combination light therapy is sometimes used as well. This involves combining phototherapy with other treatments to increase its effectiveness.3
Systemic treatments are oral and injected medications that work throughout the entire body. They often act on the immune system to ease psoriasis over large areas of the body.4
There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological medication (usually given as tablets or capsules) and biological treatments (usually given as injections).3
These medications can be very effective in treating psoriasis, but all systemic treatments for psoriasis have benefits and risks. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
It is best to begin managing psoriatic disease early, as it can cause permanent problems up to disability.
Please refer to your doctor for advice on your particular case.