How to Treat Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be a very uncomfortable and unsightly skin condition. It is a genetic and chronic skin disease that is often disfiguring. It is caused by a buildup of excess skin that may appear red and thick. Sometimes it is characterized by silvery, scaly looking skin. Psoriasis generally starts on the knees and elbows but can spread to other parts of the body as well. People who suffer from psoriasis often are self-conscious because of the disfiguring nature of the condition. There are a number of treatment options available from any dermatologist in NJ.
What is it?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is chronic in nature and has no cure. However, there are a number of treatments aimed at the symptoms of the disease. The disease is mostly known for creating red, bumpy, rash-like patches and silvery, scaly areas. While it can occur on any part of the body, it often is first found on the knees and elbows. These affected areas tend to be extremely itchy and sometimes may have a painful, burning sensation.
Diagnosis of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is often confused with eczema because the two have some similar symptoms. It’s important to see a dermatologist and get a proper diagnosis because the treatments that are most effective against psoriasis are different from those that are typically prescribed for eczema. A doctor or dermatologist will generally be able to make a diagnosis just by visually examining the affected areas. They may also apply some medicine and see how the skin reacts. The main differences between psoriasis and eczema are that psoriasis tends to have well-defined edges and occurs in different places from eczema.
Treatment of Psoriasis
Each person experiencing psoriasis will have different symptoms and different body chemistries. This means that not all treatments will work for everyone and it is important to work with a health care provider to design an individual plan for treating the specific symptoms of each individual. Generally speaking, there are 5 broad groups of treatment methods currently being used to treat psoriasis, biologics, systemics, phototherapy, topicals, and complementary or alternatives. It’s important to work with a dermatologist to find which methods or combinations of methods work for you.
Topical treatments are generally the starting place for psoriasis treatment. These treatments are medical creams that are applied directly to affected areas. Some of these creams are available over the counter and some can only be obtained with a prescription. Many of these medications are steroids or corticosteroids, which work to reduce swelling and flaring of the affected areas. Other creams contain salicylic acids and elements like aloe and other moisturizers to help heal and soothe the skin.
For moderate to severe psoriasis, biologics are a commonly used option. These drugs are taken intravenously and are a protein-based treatment that has been created from living cells. These biologic treatments use the proteins in the injections to target specific parts of the immune system. For psoriasis treatments, this means targeting t-cells and interleukins 12 and 23, which are known to contribute to psoriasis symptoms.
Another option for those suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis is a group of drugs called systemics. These drugs are different from biologics because they work on the entire immune system instead of specifically targeting certain elements. These drugs are typically taken orally by pill form or intravenously. Systemics are usually prescribed for those who have not had good results with topical treatments.
Phototherapy involves exposing affected areas to ultraviolet light periodically. UVB light is used by doctors in this treatment and works by penetrating the skin and helping to slow the growth of cells. This treatment works best when it is done regularly and for defined periods of time. This type of treatment is often combined with topical treatments and is generally not used to treat more severe cases.
Complimentary or alternative treatments are methods that are types that are not traditionally thought of as part of western medicine. There are a variety of natural and homeopathic treatments that fall under this category. Often these focus more on prevention and pain management than traditional methods and often incorporate a focus on diet, herbal supplements, and exercise. Methods such as acupuncture also fall under this umbrella.
What is it?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is chronic in nature and has no cure. However, there are a number of treatments aimed at the symptoms of the disease. The disease is mostly known for creating red, bumpy, rash-like patches and silvery, scaly areas. While it can occur on any part of the body, it often is first found on the knees and elbows. These affected areas tend to be extremely itchy and sometimes may have a painful, burning sensation.
Diagnosis of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is often confused with eczema because the two have some similar symptoms. It’s important to see a dermatologist and get a proper diagnosis because the treatments that are most effective against psoriasis are different from those that are typically prescribed for eczema. A doctor or dermatologist will generally be able to make a diagnosis just by visually examining the affected areas. They may also apply some medicine and see how the skin reacts. The main differences between psoriasis and eczema are that psoriasis tends to have well-defined edges and occurs in different places from eczema.
Treatment of Psoriasis
Each person experiencing psoriasis will have different symptoms and different body chemistries. This means that not all treatments will work for everyone and it is important to work with a health care provider to design an individual plan for treating the specific symptoms of each individual. Generally speaking, there are 5 broad groups of treatment methods currently being used to treat psoriasis, biologics, systemics, phototherapy, topicals, and complementary or alternatives. It’s important to work with a dermatologist to find which methods or combinations of methods work for you.
Topical treatments are generally the starting place for psoriasis treatment. These treatments are medical creams that are applied directly to affected areas. Some of these creams are available over the counter and some can only be obtained with a prescription. Many of these medications are steroids or corticosteroids, which work to reduce swelling and flaring of the affected areas. Other creams contain salicylic acids and elements like aloe and other moisturizers to help heal and soothe the skin.
For moderate to severe psoriasis, biologics are a commonly used option. These drugs are taken intravenously and are a protein-based treatment that has been created from living cells. These biologic treatments use the proteins in the injections to target specific parts of the immune system. For psoriasis treatments, this means targeting t-cells and interleukins 12 and 23, which are known to contribute to psoriasis symptoms.
Another option for those suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis is a group of drugs called systemics. These drugs are different from biologics because they work on the entire immune system instead of specifically targeting certain elements. These drugs are typically taken orally by pill form or intravenously. Systemics are usually prescribed for those who have not had good results with topical treatments.
Phototherapy involves exposing affected areas to ultraviolet light periodically. UVB light is used by doctors in this treatment and works by penetrating the skin and helping to slow the growth of cells. This treatment works best when it is done regularly and for defined periods of time. This type of treatment is often combined with topical treatments and is generally not used to treat more severe cases.
Complimentary or alternative treatments are methods that are types that are not traditionally thought of as part of western medicine. There are a variety of natural and homeopathic treatments that fall under this category. Often these focus more on prevention and pain management than traditional methods and often incorporate a focus on diet, herbal supplements, and exercise. Methods such as acupuncture also fall under this umbrella.