Psoriasis - Treatments, Causes, Symptoms, Home Remedies & More

Treatment Of Psoriasis

There’s a wide range of topical, oral, & injected medications available to those with psoriasis. Your Medcare professional will advise what psoriasis treatment might work best for you. Over-the-counter remedies are available, but their use is only recommended after a professional diagnosis. Diagnosing & treating symptoms early on will improve the long-term outcomes of the condition.

Any psoriasis treatment offered for psoriasis will depend on the type & severity of the condition. Options include medication & phototherapy. A key tip is to use emollients to keep skin moisturized when taking other treatments, to help reduce itching & irritation. Emollients may also reduce the number of lesions or plaques that develop.

Medications for psoriasis

OTC remedies for mild psoriasis include:

• Coal tar.
• Hydrocortisone creams.
• Anti-itch products such as calamine, camphor & menthol.
• Salicylic acid often recommended for those with scalp psoriasis.

Topical Therapies

Topical treatments - available over the counter or on prescription - are applied directly on the skin, & are usually the most recommended treatment for mild & moderate symptoms. Topical treatments will:

• Slow down skin cell growth rate.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Soothe itching.

Topical treatments include:

• Corticosteroids available as gels, foams, creams, sprays, & ointments.
• Synthetic Vitamin D helps flatten plaques, slow skin cell growth & remove scales.
• Retinoids Synthetic vitamin A which aids in slowing the growth of skin cells, reducing redness, & soothing itching.
• Eczema Cream & Ointment, certain eczema treatments might be prescribed to help symptoms of plaque & inverse psoriasis

Systemic Therapies

Systemic therapies may be prescribed to those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis. They reduce the progression & regularity of psoriasis flares.

• Biologics: Protein-based drugs derived from living cells that target the cells & proteins that cause psoriasis.
• Methotrexate: Prescribed only for extremely severe psoriasis that restricts daily function & which has not responded to any other treatments.
• Cyclosporine: Doctors usually prescribe this for severe types of psoriasis.
• Oral Retinoids: People with all types of psoriasis except inverse psoriasis can benefit from oral retinoids.

Phototherapy For Psoriasis

Phototherapy involves exposing skin with psoriasis flares to ultraviolet light. The UV light should slow cell growth, suppress immune activity, & reduce irritation. Phototherapy can be carried out at home using a lightbox or handheld device if the initial psoriasis treatment proves successful.

Psoriasis Home Remedies

Doctors approve a range of home remedies to help alleviate symptoms & psoriasis flares:

• Cold showers.
• Reducing stress by doing yoga, exercise or meditation.
• Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Recognizing & avoiding food triggers.
• Joining a support group.
• Avoid smoking.
• Not drinking alcohol.

Home Remedies for Reducing Psoriasis Itching

To reduce itching & discomfort caused by psoriasis, try:

• A skin moisturizing routine - ask a dermatologist for suitable products.
• Taking cold showers & avoiding hot showers.
• Using a cold pack.

While psoriasis can be isolating & uncomfortable, if these home psoriasis treatments are not helping alleviate or cure your symptoms, please call Medcare today, to book an appointment and allow us to guide you on the journey to good skin health.

Risks Of Psoriasis

Certain factors increase the risk of developing psoriasis, including:

• Pre-existing conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
• Trauma to the skin.
• A family history of the condition.
• In youths, earache or a respiratory infection such as tonsilitis or bronchitis.

Psoriasis is equally common in males and females and is most commonly seen in 15- to 35-year-olds. Around 10–15 percent of people with psoriasis develop the condition before the age of 10.

Complications Of Psoriasis

While most of us consider psoriasis a skin disease, it can affect bones, muscles, & the metabolic system.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Almost one third (30 percent) of people with psoriasis suffer from joint inflammation, known as psoriatic arthritis, causing inflammation & progressive damage to the joints. This is seen mostly in those aged between 30 & 50.

Other Complications of Psoriasis

Those suffering from psoriasis may experience:

• Social exclusion.
• Low self-esteem.
• Image issues.
• Impact on the overall quality of life.
• Depression & anxiety - psoriasis sufferers have double the risk of depression compared to those without the condition.

Psoriasis may also lead to a higher risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Diabetes
• Some types of cancer
• Digestive tract tumors

Prevention Of Psoriasis

While psoriasis flares may come & go, there’s no known complete cure. Your best hope is to learn to avoid the triggers that cause flares, which are often different from one person to another.

Basic tips to help avoid psoriasis in all its forms include:

• Using moisturizing lotions.
• Developing a skin & scalp care routine.
• Avoiding dry, cold weather.
• Using a humidifier.
• Avoiding medications that cause flare-ups.
• Avoiding scrapes, cuts, bumps, & infections.
• Getting sunshine – natural vitamin D is good for the skin.
• Avoiding stress.
• Avoiding alcohol.
• Exercising.
• Eating right.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.

Medcare’s professional & discreet team is always on hand to discuss your medical conditions, so don’t hesitate to call if you have any medical concerns as we are here to help.