Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic inflammatory skin disease that is found throughout the world. It takes several different forms, but the most common is called plaque psoriasis. In plaque psoriasis, areas of red, thickened skin covered by silvery-white scales appear. These patches may occur anywhere on the body, but the elbows, knees and back of the scalp are the most common sites.


What causes psoriasis?

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but most researchers believe that it is an inherited defect in the body’s immune system. For some reason that is not completely understood, the immune system speeds up the growth rate of skin cells so that their life cycle is shorter. Instead of forming and falling off the body in the normal 28 days, these cells form much faster, stick together and develop into thick, dry scaly plaques.


What treatments are available for psoriasis?

Psoriasis lesions can flare up for weeks or months at a time, then practically disappear for no apparent reason. These cycles are unpredictable and frustrating, but a variety of treatments are available — some over-the-counter and some prescription-only — that can greatly improve the patient’s quality of life.

No matter what the treatment regimen, it is important to keep skin hydrated by using emollients and moisturizers such as LAC-HYDRIN® FIVE Moisturizing Lotion, particularly after bathing or showering.

• Topicals
 
The first line of therapy for most psoriasis cases is usually a topical medication (applied directly to the skin) designed to thin the plaque and eliminate the scaling. Topical drugs may be in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, solutions, gels, foams, sprays and shampoos.
 
— Over-the-counter Topicals
 
Salicylic acid is often used in combination with low-strength topical corticosteroids and other products to maximize their effectiveness. Coal tar — available in topical, shampoo and bath preparations such as Balnetar® Therapeutic Tar Bath — is another ingredient that helps to treat psoriasis.
— Prescription Topicals
 
Among prescription topicals, higher-strength topical corticosteroids are commonly used as the first line of therapy for mild to moderate psoriasis. Your dermatologist may prescribe other topical medications as indicated.
• Systemic Medications
 
For patients with moderate to severe psoriasis or those who are not good candidates for other treatment, systemic medications that affect the entire body may be prescribed. Biologics are a relatively new class of injectable drugs that have been developed from living human or animal sources rather than from chemicals. Other systemic medications include cyclosporine, methotrexate and an oral retinoid that is a synthetic form of Vitamin A (acitretin).
• Phototherapy
 
Some psoriasis patients respond to phototherapy with ultraviolet light. Natural sunlight has been demonstrated to improve psoriasis in some patients, but care must be taken to avoid excessive exposure.


What’s the outlook for psoriasis?

Although psoriasis is a lifelong disease with no cure on the horizon, researchers know more than ever about it. With the current treatment options available, the majority of psoriasis patients will find an effective treatment that will improve their quality of life.


Disclaimer

Information on this Web site is not intended as a substitute for diagnosis and/or treatment by a licensed healthcare professional. Please consult your primary healthcare provider or a dermatologist for more information about the diagnosis and treatment of your particular condition.