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| Repeated treatment with an excimer laser may reduce the appearance of psoriasis. Image courtesy Wikimedia. |
Light Therapy
Light therapy, known medically as phototherapy, uses ultraviolet B light to slow the growth of diseased skin cells. UVB treatment is one of the most common guttate psoriasis cures.For scalp psoriasis, doctors may use an excimer laser to target small patches of mild to moderate plaques. For other localized psoriasis that do not respond to other types of treatment, the doctor may use a pulsed dye laser to destroy surrounding blood vessels.
Pros:
- Sunlight is free, although it contains mostly the ineffective UVA-type of light
- Portable UVB equipment can be purchased for curing psoriasis at home
Cons:
- Psoriasis can get worse before it gets better
- UVB light exposure irritates skin
- Some medications can negate the effects of light therapy
- Phototherapy must be done repeatedly before any improvement
- Must use excimer laser 2 times per week for at least 1 month to see results
- Must use pulsed dye laser for 30 minutes every 3 weeks for at least 3 months
- Pulsed dye laser can leave bruising and scarring
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| Intravenous therapies for psoriasis must be administered at a hospital or doctor's office. ICU IV 1 image courtesy Calleamanecer wikimedia. |
Biologic Injections
Biologics are protein-based drugs that target specific parts of the immune system. They must be administered through injections or intravenous infusion, IV.Biologic drugs block T cells, such as interleukin 17-A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukins 12 and 23.
Pros:
- Psoriasis injections and IVs can produce results where other methods of failed
- Can be used in conjuction with phototherapy or topicals
Cons:
- May require injections in the arms, legs or abdomen (Humira, Enbrel, Simponi, Cimzia and Cosentyx)
- May require periodic visits to a doctor's office (Stelara and Remicade)
- Cannot be used while a person has an infection or compromised immune system)
- Side effects include flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections and sometimes serious nervous system or blood disorders
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| Psoriasis medications must be taken daily to remain effective. Image courtesy Amanda Hatfield flickr. |
Systemic Drugs
Systemic drugs, such as Methotrexate, Cyclosporine and Acitretin, work throughout the body. They do not directly target inflammations and rashes like other psoriasis cures.These prescriptions are usually taken via mouth. They may be delivered as pills, liquids or injections.
Pros:
- Used for 10 years on patients with psoriatic arthritis or moderate to severe psoriasis
- May work for people who have not responded to UV light treatments or topical medications
- May take 6 months or longer to be effective
- Must be taken daily
- Side effects may include depression, aggression, hair loss or excessive hair growth, headaches, bleeding and kidney problems
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| Oral psoriasis cures must be taken daily. |
Oral Treatments
New oral treatments, such as Otezla, target molecules inside immune cells. In particular, Otezla and apremilast suppress phosphodiesterase 4, or the PDE4 enzyme.These "small molecule" treatments correct the immune response to reduce inflammation, redness and swelling.
Pros:
- Safe and effective with some systemics, topicals and phototherapy treatments
- Must be taken 2 times daily, everyday, to maintain improvement
- May cause weight loss up to 10 percent
- May cause diarrhea, headache and nausea
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| Skin creams can be effective at treating small patches of psoriasis. 'Cold Cream-2' image courtesy BD2412 wikipedia. |
Topical Medications
Topical medications are applied to the skin at the site of the inflammation. They slow down the excessive cell reproduction that can cause plaques, scaling, itching and bleeding.Topicals are usually the first course of treatment that physicians recommend. Over-the-counter or OTC options usually contain salicylic acid or coal tar. Inactive ingredients, such as aloe vera, capsaicin, jojoba and zinc pyrithione, are added to soothe the itching or moisturize the scaling.
Pros:
- Usually effective for mild forms of psoriasis
- Potent corticosteroids must be prescribed by a doctor
- May lead to hair loss, site irritation and increased risk of sunburn
- May cause bruising and skin damage
- May possibly cause cancer
Alternative Approaches
More than a third of psoriasis suffers use complementary and alternative methods to heal their blisters and rashes.- Diets, herbs, supplements, mind/body therapies and other natural cures for psoriasis can relieve pain and inflammation without the negative consequences of synthetic drugs.
- More information about psoriasis and alternative medicine can be found here.
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