How to I get rid of my psoriasis? ProDerm’s guide to treating psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that is usually lifelong but can disappear spontaneously.

The treatments are designed to improve or even clear completely, the skin lesions. If arthritis is present, then treatment may be combined to help both skin and joints.

Treatment for psoriasis depends on the body site location, the type of psoriasis and the severity of the disease.

Basic treatment options

Emollients and moisturising. Psoriasis is a condition that causes dry skin, so anything to Rehydrate the skin oil levels will usually help which is why daily moisturising is required. 

Topical anti-inflammatories

There are several topical anti-inflammatories available and these include vitamin D analogues such as calcipotriol and calcitriol

The mainstay of treatment is topical steroid and this can range in strength and potency from mild all the way through to superpotent.  Steroids can be used for short in medium term but only intermittently for longer term use as they can damage the skin.

Non-steroid drugs exist in cream form such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are these are good to use in place of long-term steroid therapy which can damage the skin. 

Ultraviolet treatment (UV)

Ultraviolet radiation can be given at two different wavelengths, A and B. UVA is usually given in conjunction with a sensitising drug called psoralen and thus the term p-UVA is given to this type of treatment

UVB is more superficial and does not require concurrent administration of photosensitising agents.

Phototherapy is normally given 2 to 3 times weekly and can really clear the skin nicely often for many weeks or even months

Drugs and medication

These can be classed into three broad categories:

• non-immunosuppressive

• old style immunosuppression

• modern immunosuppression

Non-immunosuppressive drugs include a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid and another class of drug called a phosphodiester inhibitor. These drugs can be taken as tablets with without any long-term side-effect risk and are very safe.

The old-style immunosuppressive drugs are methotrexate and cyclosporin. Both of these drugs can be taken short term without any major risk but over the long-term they cause some immunosuppression which can lead to increased levels of infection and other problems. Ciclosporin can cause blood pressure and kidney problems too.  Both are very good at bringing about control of psoriasis so they often play a role in short-term treatment but for methotrexate, this can run to years if necessary.   

New immunosuppressive drugs are given as an injection and they are collectively called biological treatments (or biologics) as they use engineered human antibody to target specific areas of the immune system and focally switch it off. These drugs can give rise to complete resolution of psoriasis or arthritis and clear the skin completely with ongoing therapy.

The newest immune suppressor is a family of drugs called Janus Kinase inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These drugs are very safe and can bring about excellent resolution in psoriasis.

For all immunosuppressors, blood monitoring and pre-screening is required to ensure infection risk is kept to a minimum.  You will be followed up regularly by your consultant dermatologist.

There is no need to have visible psoriasis on the skin as modern treatments are very effective at clearing it completely. Don’t let psoriasis rule your life, get in touch with one of our team to discuss treatment options.