Psoriasis is a chronic disease characterized by thick red patches of skin and white scaly or flaky skin. It is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system destroys skin cells. Treatments include over-the-counter drugs.
Indications
Psoriasis can be mild, moderate or severe. For mild cases, over-the-counter medications are often helpful in reducing inflammation and redness, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. More serious cases of psoriasis will require prescription medications used under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, over-the-counter products that contain salicyclic acid and coal tar as their active ingredients are approved for psoriasis treatment by the U S Food and Drug Administration or FDA. Over-the-counter products that have corticosteroid can be used to treat psoriasis as well.
Availabilty
Over the counter psoriasis treatments are available as creams, oils, shampoos and moisturizers. Moisturizers reduce itching and scaling associated with psoriasis and skin dryness caused by other psoriasis treatments. Oils, shampoos and creams that contain coal tar reduce inflammation, itchiness and scaling in psoriasis.
Salicyclic acid is found in shampoos used for psoriasis treatment. Such shampoos reduce skin scaling associated with scalp psoriasis. Corticosteroid-containing creams reduce skin inflammation and itching in psoriasis.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Psoriasis-Treatments and drugs
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Treating psoriasis
- American Academy of Family Physicians : Psoriasis
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Psoriasis severity
- "Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide By Harvard Medical School"; Anthony L. Komaroff; 2004
