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All You Need To Know About Psoriasis Treatments

All You Need To Know About Psoriasis Treatments

Psoriasis doesn’t often get a lot of attention from the medical profession, which means many people are left to suffer in silence. This condition can greatly impact your overall quality of life and there’s no need to struggle with it on your own.

For some people, psoriasis is a mild condition, while for others, it is very severe. In some cases, people end up losing their hair and their confidence to this condition.

The good news is that there are a range of psoriasis treatments on the market that could help to alleviate the pain, itchiness and other symptoms associated with the condition. While this autoimmune condition can be tricky to treat, it might be beneficial to learn about the wide range of treatments out there so you can find the one that works best for your specific situation. Simply read our handy guide of questions and answers to make the best decision.

How Do I Know I Have Psoriasis?

If you’re struggling with a persistent skin rash, you might want to consult with your doctor. While this could be a number of things, it could also be psoriasis and the quicker you start to consider your treatment options, the faster you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits.

In order for the doctor to diagnose the condition, they will either need to simply examine the area where the rash has appeared, or they might need to do a biopsy. They will be able to take you through these options at your appointment.

Why Do I Have Psoriasis?

There are a range of things that could cause and / or contribute to this condition. In many instances, the condition simply runs in the family and it is usually caused by new skin cells that are developing much too quickly.

When this happens, the older cells are brought to the surface of the skin and they begin to build up, causing the scaly look of psoriasis that are is quite common in sufferers.

How to Corticosteroids Work?

When it comes to corticosteroids as psoriasis treatments, these tend to be some of the most popular options on the market, particularly in the mild to moderate cases.

The reason they are so popular is because they are fast at reducing inflammation and relieving itching, which can be a major problem for those who struggle with this condition. You’ll usually find that doctors prescribe these types of medications for the more sensitive areas, such as the eyes.

Why Are More People Turning to Vitamin D?

Many medications, such as corticosteroids, cannot be used long term or they end up thinning the skin and so other options need to considered alongside this. Vitamin D in its synthetic form has been known to slow down the growth of skin and so it’s being used as one of the many psoriasis treatments on the market.

Does Anthralin Make Skin Smoother?

Yes, Athralin actually works to make the skin smoother, but it also helps to slow the growth rate of the skin. Keep in mind that Anthralin stains, so you’ll want to be careful getting it in contact with clothing.

How Do Retinoids Help with Inflammation?

Topical retinoids have been known to greatly reduce inflammation because they are derived from Vitamin A. It is worth noting that pregnant or breast-feeding women should consult with their doctor before considering this treatment option.

What are the Benefits of Light Therapy?

Crop cheerful black man with modern netbook browsing netbook and talking to male coworker with vitiligo skin while working on project together

Light therapy utilized both natural and artificial light, depending on the treatment option, and the aim is to expose the skin to small, controlled amounts of it. Sunlight, for example, contains ultraviolet light, and this has been known to slow down the rate of skin cell growth.

In instances where psoriasis is resistant to topical treatments, options such as UVB phototherapy are becoming more and more popular. It should be noted that this treatment option does come with side effects, including redness, dry skin and itching. It is also usually used on only small patches of skin.

Is It Worth Trying the Excimer Laser?

The Excimer Laser is another type of light therapy that is used for cases of mild to moderate psoriasis and it is becoming increasingly popular because it has the ability to treat the psoriasis without actually harming the rest of the skin.

This is accomplished by aiming the bean of UVB light at the psoriasis plaques in order to treat the inflammation and the scaling. Lastly, this form of treatment actually takes fewer sessions than the other phototherapy options because the form of light that is used is much more powerful.

Which Oral Treatments Are Available?

For instances where the psoriasis is severe, a doctor might turn to oral treatments in order to combat the problem. Retinoids, which are related to the Vitamin A, are one of the options available, as is Methotrexate, which suppresses inflammation and the production of skin cells.

It is even thought that this medication can slow down psoriatic arthritis in some cases.
Cyclosporine is another option available that actually suppresses the immune system and should only be taken on a short term basis.

Are Alternative Medications Available for Psoriasis?

There are a wide range of alternative medications that have been said to work for instances of mild to moderate psoriasis. Aloe Vera, for example, has been known to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of the condition, including scaling and inflammation.

Fish oil is another option and it’s been suggested that you need to take 3 grams or less for it to be beneficial and remain safe. Lastly, Oregon grape, used as a topical application, could also ease the discomfort of the condition.

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