The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that more than 7 million people in the United States suffer from psoriasis, a chronic immune system disease. Characterized by red, scaly patches and lesions, psoriasis can be both annoying and painful. Manage your disease and overall health by learning how to treat outbreaks of psoriasis.
Step 1
Prepare to try various treatments options. Doctors at the National Psoriasis Foundation report that what works for one person doesn't always work for another. They advise psoriasis patients to keep trying various treatments until you find the one that best relieves your symptoms.
Step 2
Treat mild to moderate outbreaks of psoriasis with over-the-counter and prescription creams. Keeping the skin moisturized helps to relieve the itching associated with psoriasis. Medicinal creams such as topical corticosteroids, anthralin, synthetic vitamin D and salicylic acid can promote healing and help remove the scales that build up on the skin.
Step 3
Expose your skin to sunlight or get ultraviolet light treatments from your health care provider. Brief exposure to sunlight can help dry up psoriasis outbreaks, though patients must be careful not to burn. Artificial UV therapy delivered a couple times a week has proven successful in treating the condition. An excimer laser can target specific areas to control inflammation and scaling without damaging surrounding healthy skin.
Step 4
Take oral medications such as retinoids, methotrexate or cyclosporine to suppress the damaged immune system and prevent outbreaks. Oral medications typically are used in conjunction with topical applications.
Step 5
Talk to your healthcare provider about getting biologic injections. Doctors at the National Psoriasis Foundation report that biologics can work well for people who don't respond to other treatments. Biologics are developed in a laboratory from living cells and are delivered intravenously. They can target specific areas of the immune system to treat psoriasis. Some biologics also can treat joint inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Tips and Warnings
- Build a strong support group that understands your condition and how it affects you physically and emotionally. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends including your health care provider, friends, family and other psoriasis sufferers in your circle of supporters.
- Monitor side effects of oral psoriasis treatments and let your doctor know if you become pregnant. Retinoids can cause birth defects. Methotrexate can cause liver damage when used for extended periods of time. In the short term, methotrexate can cause upset stomach, fatigue and loss of appetite. You can be at risk for high blood pressure and kidney damage when taking cyclosporine.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizers
- OTC cream
- Prescription topical cream
- Light therapy
- Oral medication
- Biologic injections
