Psoriasisis a chronic skin condition with many options to help manage your disease and reducesymptoms.
Light therapy can help many people, as can working on the mind/body connection through various stress management techniques.
Finding the right combination of therapies may take some trial and error.This article covers some standard approaches totreating psoriasis.
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Some treatments might work particularly well for specific, less common forms of psoriasis.
Cost and availability are also important practical factors to consider.
Many therapies, both medical and psychological, are available.
The treatments may be used individually or in tandem.
Therapy is best done under the advice and guidance of one’s healthcare provider or dermatologist.
Many people use them alongside other psoriasis treatments.
Vitamin D
Another option is compounds derived from vitamin D, such as Dovonex (calcipotriene).
They have fewer overall safety concerns than corticosteroids, and most people can use them long-term.
Retinoids
Retinoids, compounds related to vitamin A, are another topical option.
They are usually used only for a limited period.
Moisturizers
Non-medicated moisturizers are also important to reduce itchy and scaling skin in psoriasis treatment.
They are very safe and can be used with all other psoriasis therapies.
Light therapy uses exposure to different kinds of ultraviolet (UV) light to help reduce your symptoms.
Light therapy can be used alone, but its typically used with other approaches.
It is relatively low-cost, has few side effects, and can be used during pregnancy.
One drawback of light therapy is the time commitment.
It exposes the skin to specific wavelengths of light.
NB-UVB is the most common pop in of phototherapy.
It tends to be more effective than BB-UVB and is easier to use than some other forms of phototherapy.
Plus, it may have fewer side effects than other forms of light therapy.
A 2024 study found that in-home treatments are as effective and safe as clinic-based therapy.
Targeted UVB
Targeted UVB approaches, such as excimer lasers, also utilize UVB energy.
You might take psoralen orally, applied onto your skin, or by soaking in water containing the medication.
Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) is the second most common form of light therapy.
It seems more effective than BB-UVB and may work more in fewer sessions than NB-BB.
Climatotherapy
Some parts of the world have climates that improve psoriasis symptoms.
They may have different levels of UVA and UVB natural radiation from the sun, allowing for safer exposure.
They are often close to the sea, and the moist and salty air may be protective.
Climatotherapy is an approach to improving your skin by moving to a particular part of the world.
It might particularly make sense for people who dont want to pursue other treatment options.
you’re able to also take it as ashot once a week instead of via pill.
However, its often not safe for people with liver disease.
Its also not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
It inhibits the production of an enzyme that controls cell inflammation associated with psoriasis.
In 2024, apremilast was approved for use by children and adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Vitamin A-based therapies like Soriatane (acitretin) are another approach.
They may be a good option if you have an immune system problem, likeHIV.
Unlike other forms of non-biologic or biologic systemic therapies, it doesnt directly affect the immune system.
Like retinoids used topically, Soriatane should never be used during pregnancy.
Your symptoms may come back after you stop taking the drug.
JAK Inhibitors
Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) is a new oral medication for moderate to severe psoriasis.
It is aJanus kinase (JAK) inhibitorthat inhibits an enzyme that promotes inflammation.
Biologic Systemic Therapy
Biologic therapiesare an option for some people with moderate or severe psoriasis.
Biologic therapies are made from components of living things.
They must be refrigerated and are given via aninjectioninstead of orally.
They target different components of the immune system to tone down its response.
These biologics suppress your immune system and may increase your risk for certain potentially serious infections.
For example, Humira or Cosentyx might be good choices if you have psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis symptoms.
Conversely, Humira might not be a good choice if you have inflammatory bowel disease.
So, complementary therapies that can help you deal better with stress may also help reduce your skin symptoms.
You might get feedback through tones you hear or a special kind of video game.
One study combining CBT with biofeedback found positive results for people with psoriasis.
You may start with one but add another if you still have remaining symptoms.
For example, you might use one or more topical creams with phototherapy or oralmedicationlike methotrexate.
But otherwise, most combinations are OK.
Summary
There isnt one single ideal treatment for psoriasis.
These might include phototherapy, oral drug or biologic treatments, and mind/body approaches.
Some people do well with a single therapeutic approach.
However, many people get the best results if they combine more than one category of psoriasis treatment.
Your healthcare provider can help you decide on the best approach for you.
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