Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can cause some significant pain. The symptoms of psoriasis are persistent and often come in cycles.
While this condition is, unfortunately, incurable, there are a variety of effective treatments available.
These treatments can be a great way to minimize the effects of symptoms so that psoriasis has less of an impact on your everyday life.
Below is a collection of a few common and effective psoriasis treatments.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition which causes skin cells to multiply at a much faster rate than normal.
As skin cells die, they essentially pile up on top of one another to create plaques. Plaques are scaly white and red patches on top of the skin.
These patches can be itchy, painful, and can cause embarrassment for people who suffer from this condition.
Fortunately, while psoriasis can cause some pain, the effects are fairly harmless.
Millions of people across the world are able to control this condition with a number of medications and natural psoriasis treatments.
Common Treatments
Psoriasis may be incurable. However, there are a number of effective treatments to help people minimize their symptoms.
Of course, in order to find the most effective treatment for you, you should consult with your primary physician to develop a treatment plan.
Below are a few of the more common psoriasis medications used to control symptoms.
Oral Medications
For people with severe cases of psoriasis, your physician may recommend oral medications, such as:
- Acitretin
- Cyclosporine
- Methotrexate
- Apremilast
These oral medications can provide great relief for individuals with severe cases of this condition.
If you don’t respond well to other psoriasis treatments, oral medication may be the next option.
Topical Solutions
There are also a number of prescription strength topical solutions which help reduce symptoms.
This includes shampoos, ointments, and lotions which contain ingredients like:
- Salicylic acid
- Vitamin D
- Calcipotriene
- Retinoids
These ingredients can be very helpful in reducing the effects of psoriasis symptoms.
Other Tips for Dealing with Psoriasis
Aside from treatment, there are a few tips you should take into consideration to help manage your symptoms.
Don’t Scratch
Psoriasis can cause your skin to itch. Although it might be tempting, you should avoid itching as much as possible.
Scratchy and picking at flaky skin will worsen your symptoms even if it might provide temporary relief.
Instead, try to use moisturizers and lotions to relieve your symptoms.
Don’t Drink or Smoke
Not only can smoking and drinking alcohol increase flare-ups but drinking alcohol can also react badly with your medication.
Try to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol if you have psoriasis.
Use the Sun
Exposing yourself to sunlight is a great, natural way to help reduce your symptoms from psoriasis.
Sunlight can help reduce skin cell growth and heal lesions on the skin — both of which are great for helping to deal with psoriasis.
Search and Compare Treatments
As psoriasis is a very common condition, there are constantly new treatments being developed to help individuals minimize symptoms.
In order to find the treatment that works for you, it’s important to research and compare your options through an internet search.
You should also be sure to consult with your doctor to find the treatment that meets your needs.
