Psoriasis is a very common skin disorder that effects anywhere from 5.8 to 7.5 million Americans with 150,000 new reported cases each year. Psoriasis quite frequently goes undiagnosed, because it is not severe enough to warrant a doctor’s visit or misdiagnosed as contact dermatitis or eczema. Many people often find their psoriasis embarrassing or don’t seek help because they believe it’s just dry skin and attempt to treat it at home. This is not necessary, psoriasis is very common and there are many psoriasis medication/treatments available for it. You don’t have to suffer in silence.
Psoriasis Medication – Cure?
Unfortunately there still is no cure for psoriasis, but this doesn’t mean that you need to feel the pain and discomfort of itchy dry legions and sores for your whole life. Psoriasis is very manageable through different treatment options. Make sure you are comfortable with your treatment because you may have to use it for a long time.
The first form of psoriasis medication is the least invasive and is topical. Your doctor will try these first, they will come in a cream form and are rubbed into the skin. These are usually corticosteroids, coal tar, retinoids, anthralin or vitamin D-3 derivatives. Every case is different so your doctor may need to try a few different psoriasis medication/treatments or mixtures before settling on one that works best for you. Also, psoriasis medication loses its effectiveness over time as your skin becomes accustomed to them, so your psoriasis medication will change eventually.
Psoriasis Medication/Treatments
The next psoriasis treatments you doctor will attempt is light therapy, also called phototherapy. This works because ultraviolet light slows the creation of skin cells and cuts down on inflammation. In some patients sunlight (UV light) can actually reduce almost all of their symptoms.
After the other two forms of treatments have been tried your doctor will talk to you about the final form of psoriasis medication, which is a systemic agent. These come in many forms but are only used in the most severe cases or after the other treatment options have been tried but were not viable for one reason or another. Some examples of these psoriasis medications include methotrexate, hydroxyurea, 6-thioguanine and acitretin.
Psoriasis doesn’t have to control your life. You shouldn’t have to plan your wardrobe around it or be scratching all the time. It’s important to get help; there are a great many psoriasis medication/treatments that can help you feel good about your skin again.