Corticosteroids
The skin is composed of many cells that go through a growth cycle. If you have psoriasis, cells form too rapidly on the skin and cause you to break out in red blotches that are dry, itchy, painful and scaly. This disease is caused when T cells attack healthy cells.
Topical corticosteroids are prescription ointments that you apply to the areas on your skin where you have psoriasis. They help to suppress the immune system, which helps slow down cell turnover. This in turn relieves itching and inflammation. Milder forms of corticosteroids are prescribed for more sensitive areas of your skin, such as your skin folds and face.
Analogues
Synthetic vitamin D analogues can help slow down the growth of the cells in your skin. Calcipotriene contains a vitamin D analogue and it comes in the form of a cream or ointment.
Acne Medicine
Topical retinoids are often used to treat other skin conditions like sun-damaged skin and acne. Tazarotene is a retinoid cream that was specifically designed as a psoriasis treatment. It is a derivative of vitamin A and it helps decrease inflammation on the skin by normalizing DNA activity. If you use this medication, make sure to wear sunblock when you go outside as it can increase your sensitivity to the sun.
Tar
Coal tar is a cream derived from coal and petroleum products. It gets applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, itchiness and scaling. You can get this product over-the-counter and if you choose to use it, be aware that it has a pungent odor and it can stain your clothing.
Acid
Salicylic acid is another over-the-counter treatment option that is also used for wart removal. You apply it to your skin to reduce scaling and remove dead cells in the areas where you have flare-ups.
UVB
UVB phototherapy is used to treat widespread psoriasis and single patches that topical treatments had no effect on. With this treatment, an artificial source of light shoots UVB rays down onto your skin to slow down growth of the cells. When this treatment first starts, your symptoms can get worse. You can use a skin moisturizer when this happens to reduce irritation.
Sun
Exposure to UV rays from the sun can help kill T cells that have been activated. This in turn can reduce inflammation and scaling, and it can also slow down the cell turnover rate. If you use this treatment, get small exposures to sunlight several times throughout the day. Do not stay out for long periods of time as this can make your symptoms worse.
Medications
Oral medications are a type of treatment that is prescribed if no other treatment was working for you. Examples of these include acitretin, cyclosporine and methotrexate. Biologics are another type of medication that is either injected or infused intravenously. Examples of these are etanercept, infliximab and alefacept.
