Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease in which skin cells grow very rapidly and result in inflammation and unsightly scales. These scales can often be very dry, red, itchy and painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, psoriasis happens when the immune system responds to healthy cells as if they were under attack by foreign bodies. Though you can't permanently get rid of psoriasis, you can end a psoriasis breakout faster--and alleviate some of the associated pain and discomfort--by using a variety of approaches.
Step 1
Sunbathe three or four times a week. Keep in mind that too much sun can worsen the condition, so expose the affected areas to sunlight only in short increments of five to 10 minutes a day, building up your tolerance until you expose the skin to sunlight for about 30 minutes three to four times a week. Noontime sunbathing is recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation. Use a sunblock that's rated at least SPF 15 on areas of the skin not affected by psoriasis, but do not use sunblock on the psoriasis outbreak itself.
Step 2
Undergo phototherapy, otherwise known as light therapy. This is similar to sunbathing, except it is done in a clinical setting using special UVB light devices. Ask your doctor about a new form of phototherapy, the excimer laser technique, which uses powerful pulses of UVB light that are aimed directly onto the affected areas without hitting the surrounding healthy skin.
Step 3
Try a newer class of drugs called "biologics," which have been approved by the FDA to treat psoriasis. These include alefacept (Amevive), adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade). Most biologics require shots to be administered at a physician's office, though some can be administered at home after an initial consultation with a doctor.
Step 4
Use topical applications. Both over-the-counter and prescription-strength ointments and creams can alleviate psoriasis symptoms, but the ones that will work the fastest tend to be topical corticosteroids, since they can be prescribed in varying strengths, from mild to very strong. Ask your doctor for the prescription that's right for your particular case. For quick over-the-counter relief, look for active ingredients such as salicylic acid, which helps to peel away the layers of scaly psoriatic skin.
Step 5
Combine treatments. Combining topical applications with light therapy can speed up healing by making light therapy more effective. A procedure called the Goeckerman treatment involves using UVB light therapy in conjunction with coal tar, a topical application which makes skin more sensitive to UVB light, which in turn makes the UVB light therapy sessions more effective.
Tips and Warnings
- Since psoriasis treatments are always changing and improving, to keep up with the latest information, check PsoriasisNet, a comprehensive online psoriasis database, on a regular basis (see Resources).
- Psoriasis treatments can be unpredictable, and what works for one person might not work for someone else. It is always wise to consult with your doctor before undertaking any new treatment.
