What Is The Best Way To Treat Psoriasis

What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

If you have psoriasis, ask your healthcare provider:

• How can I prevent outbreaks and control symptoms?
• What medication will work best for me?
• What else should I do to improve symptoms?
• What are my options if creams dont work?
• Will psoriasis ever go away?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Psoriasis, an itchy skin condition, can come and go throughout your life. Its related to an overactive immune response and is not contagious. If you have skin changes that arent going away, talk to your healthcare provider. There is no cure for psoriasis, but psoriasis treatments can improve symptoms. Your provider may prescribe a special cream or moisturizer or medications. Other therapies are available if creams or medicines dont work. Maintaining your overall health will also help improve symptoms.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/17/2020.

References

Symptoms Of Psoriasis On The Tongue

Because the symptoms of psoriasis on the tongue might be subtle or even invisible, it can be challenging to diagnose. However, these symptoms might cause extreme pain or swelling for some people, making it impossible to eat or drink.

The following are some of the symptoms of psoriasis on the tongue:

• Bordered in red with yellow or white
• On the tongue, there is swelling and redness.
• Smooth spots, fissures, or cracks on the tongues surface.

What Is The Relationship Between Psoriasis And Your Diet

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder. The body mistakenly attacks its own tissue, explains Wesdock. It starts overproducing skin cells, which lays down plaques on your skin. Plaques are red, scaly patches that can be itchy or painful. Sometimes psoriasis is accompanied by psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition.

Neither of these conditions is caused by anything you eat, but theres an important link between your diet and psoriasis. Many foods are known to cause inflammation throughout the body. In some people, this widespread irritation can make the symptoms of psoriasis worse.

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What Type Of Psoriasis Treatment Will I Need

Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis. Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of skin. If the rash affects larger areas, or you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.

Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:

• Severity of the rash.

• Vitamin A or retinoid creams.

What If Those Psoriasis Treatments Dont Work

If psoriasis doesnt improve, your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:

• Light therapy: UV light at specific wavelengths can decrease skin inflammation and help slow skin cell production.
• PUVA: This treatment combines a medication called psoralen with exposure to a special form of UV light.
• Methotrexate: Providers sometimes recommend this medication for severe cases. It may cause liver disease. If you take it, your provider will monitor you with blood tests. You may need periodic liver biopsies to check your liver health.
• Retinoids: These vitamin A-related drugs can cause side effects, including birth defects.
• Cyclosporine: This medicine can help severe psoriasis. But it may cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.
• Immune therapies: Newer immune therapy medications work by blocking the bodys immune system so it cant jumpstart an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis.

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Best For Knees: Gold Bond Ultimate Psoriasis Relief Cream

Courtesy of Amazon

The irritation, itchiness, and inflammation of the skin can cause immediate frustration for anyone with psoriasis. Thats where Gold Bond Ultimate Psoriasis Relief Cream comes in. The formula addresses multiple symptoms related to psoriasisfrom scalliness to itchinessall while incorporating a key ingredient: salicylic acid.

The product works great for psoriasis patches around the knees, a common area for the skin condition to flourish, because it soothes the surface while providing maximum hydration to penetrate deep into the barrier. Customers say their psoriasis patches significantly improve within days of use.

Foods To Eat If You Have Psoriasis

Just as some foods trigger inflammation, others can help combat inflammation. In general, having a balanced whole-foods diet is the best approach to reduce inflammation throughout the body. It may reduce psoriasis flare-ups or make your symptoms less severe. Following a Mediterranean diet for psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis can also reduce chronic inflammation that contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and other conditions.

The best foods if you have psoriasis include:

• Fish, lean protein or plant-based proteins such as tofu or tempeh
• Fruits and vegetables
• Small amounts of low-fat dairy
• Whole grains

Theres no evidence that vitamins or supplements help ease psoriasis symptoms. The best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need is from the foods you eat. But its generally safe to take a daily multivitamin. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about other supplements that might be right for your needs.

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How A Dermatologist Can Help

With so many products, it can be difficult to know what to use. If you dont see the results you like with OTC treatment for psoriasis, you may want to see dermatologist. Dermatologists are the skin disease experts. They know how to tailor psoriasis treatment to the type of psoriasis you have. Sometimes, this requires combining treatments. You may also need one treatment plan to gain control over your psoriasis and another to maintain the results.

ImagesGetty Images

ReferencesMenter A, Korman NJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3: Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 60:64359.

Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA. Coal tar: Back to the future. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Aug 61:294-302.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Bristol Myers Squibb.

Limit Your Use Of Styling Tools

Be gentle when styling your hair, in order to avoid irritating the scalp. “It is best to avoid tight hair styles, as pulling too tight on the scalp can lead to irritation,” says Garshick. “Additionally, curling irons, rollers, coloring, perming or relaxing your hair should be limitedespecially if there is an active flareas these can be irritating on the scalp.”

If you’re concerned about concealing plaques, Green suggests “a low pony with added texture to hide irritation at the nape of your neck. You can add volume to down-dos by gently teasing strands at the root to conceal any scaliness behind the ears. If the hairline is typically your trouble zone, full or side-swept bangs can help hide redness.”

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Best Overall: Cerave Sa Lotion For Rough & Bumpy Skin

We recommend CeraVe’s SA Lotion as our top pick because it’s formulated with ceramides, which are waxy lipids that play a role in protecting the skin’s barrier. Ceramides work to retain moisture, and hydrate the skin. The product also uses salicylic acida go-to ingredient to relieve psoriasis patchesas a chemical exfoliant to target dry skin. Plus, the product is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about breakouts.

How To Find Best Psoriasis Treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for psoriasis. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and may include topical medications, oral medications, light therapy or a combination of treatments. It is important to work with a Homeopathic specialist as well as a qualified medical professional who specializes in the treatment of psoriasis to create a personalized treatment plan with a custom Welling Homeopathy formula for psoriasis.

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Best For Face: Abundant Natural Health Ocean Soothe Psoriasis Relief Lotion

Courtesy of Amazon

Finding the best face lotion is not always easy, given how the surface can be more sensitive compared to other parts of the body. Abundant Natural Health Ocean Soothe Lotion is made with 100 percent all-natural ingredients to prevent any chemical irritants from further inflaming psoriasis patches.

The formula combines seawater with aloe vera and tea tree oil. The product works by using salt from seawater, which is mixed with cucumber extract, to exfoliate the dry skin patches along the surface. The aloe vera and tea tree oil then soothe the exfoliated skin and hydrate the surface to prevent new scales.

Steroid Creams Or Ointments

Steroid creams or ointments are commonly used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis in most areas of the body. The treatment works by reducing inflammation. This slows the production of skin cells and reduces itching.

Topical corticosteroids range in strength from mild to very strong. Only use them when recommended by your doctor.

Stronger topical corticosteroids can be prescribed by your doctor and should only be used on small areas of skin or on particularly thick patches. Overusing topical corticosteroids can lead to skin thinning.

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Best Natural: Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Cream

Courtesy of Wild Naturals

Looking for a lotion that provides itchiness relief, repairs damaged skin cells, and smooths the skin, all while not using any harmful additives, fragrances, or chemicals? Then Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Cream could be the lotion for you.

The formula boasts all-natural ingredients, including organic aloe veraan anti-inflammatory that penetrates deep to soothe cracked skinand manuka honey, which provides healing properties. In all, the moisturizer combines vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to help seal in moisture so the skin stays hydrated for hours on end. Customers say the product brightens and smoothes their skin while minimizing psoriasis patches.

Best Budget: Cortizone 10 Anti

Courtesy of Amazon

Itchiness can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of psoriasis, making it hard for you to focus on your everyday life. Cortizone-10 Anti Itch Lotion specifically targets that symptom to provide long-lasting relief to irritated skin. Included in the product is maximum strength hydrocortisone, a leading ingredient in treating itchiness. The hydrocortisone is combined with seven different types of moisturizers and two vitamins to hydrate the skin while helping it heal.

Customers say the lotion is the holy grail of aiding their psoriasis because its non-drying, compared to other anti-itch creams on the market, and it relieves their red and irritated skin patches.

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Ways To Treat Psoriasis At Home

7.5 million American adults.

It tends to appear pink or red, usually with silvery-white scales, on those that have fair to light skin tones. On medium skin tones, it may look salmon-colored with a silvery-white scale, and on darker skin tones, it could look violet and the scale gray. Or it can also appear dark brown and difficult to see.

Even though it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins inside your body in your immune system.

Psoriasis is a condition where your T-cells, a type of white blood cell, can become overactive to produce other immune markers that can cause an inflammatory reaction on the skin. The reaction on the skin shows up in the form of silvery-white scale, depending on the skin ton

Even though theres no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Here are 12 ways to manage mild symptoms at home.

What Are The Treatments Available For Tongue Psoriasis

The diagnosis of psoriasis in or around the mouth can be difficult. For starters, its uncommon, so doctors dont see it all that often. It might also resemble other illnesses such as thrush or eczema. However, if youve been diagnosed and have trouble sleeping, treatments are available to help you feel better.

Psoriasis is a long-term illness. Psoriasis will never go away completely, even with treatment. As a result, treatment seeks to alleviate symptoms while also assisting the diseases remission. A time of little or no disease activity is referred to as remission. There are fewer symptoms as a result of this.

Psoriasis can be treated with a variety of methods, including oral medicines. Oral medications are a type of systemic treatment, meaning they affect your entire body. Because these medications are so powerful, doctors usually only use them to treat severe psoriasis. These medications are often reserved for those who have had little success with previous psoriasis therapies. Unfortunately, they can result in a wide range of adverse effects and problems. They are as follows:

• acitretin
• methotrexate

To relieve discomfort, your healthcare professional may advise you to rinse your mouth often with alkaline solutions or ones containing an anesthetic such as lidocaine.

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Are There Complications Of Psoriasis

In some people, psoriasis causes more than itchiness and red skin. It can lead to swollen joints and arthritis. If you have psoriasis, you may be at higher risk of:

• Use medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp.

Other steps you should take to stay as healthy as possible:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, such as heart disease, depression and diabetes.
• Lower your stress with meditation, exercise or seeing a mental health professional.

Do Complementary And Alternative Approaches Work For Plaque Psoriasis

Plenty of people with psoriasis turn to non-traditional therapies for relief. Responding to a 2019 patient survey described in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 41% of patients reported using alternative treatments in place of traditional medicine in the last five years, while 50% said that they have added complementary remedies to their treatment regimen.

When used in combination with traditional treatments, some people find that integrating natural treatment can be helpful, says the NPF. But some remedies can interact with medications or might not be a good fit for you, so it’s important to talk with your doctor first. Below are some options.

Aloe vera. This plant gel may help reduce redness and scaling caused by psoriasis and can be applied up to three times a day, according to the NPF. The foundation suggests finding a cream containing 0.5% aloe.

Apple cider vinegar. Applying apple cider vinegar a few times a week can help with itching on the scalp that is caused by psoriasis, as long as you don’t have cracked skin or bleeding areas on the scalp. To avoid burning, the NPF recommends using organic apple cider vinegar that is diluted with water in a one-to-one ratio.

Sea salt. Adding Dead Sea or Epson salt to a warm, 15-minute bath can help scales fall off and relieve itching, says the NPF.

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Healthy Eating And Exercise

People with psoriasis have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease than the general population, although it’s not known why. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with psoriasis, because they can help to prevent many health problems.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can also relieve stress, which may improve your psoriasis.

Make Time For Afternoon Tea

Tea tree oil isnt messing around. This strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory oil can treat scalp psoriasis when paired with a carrier oil .

Dont go nuts with this one. Start with just a drop or two and see how your skin reacts. Also, if youre pregnant, breastfeeding, have linear IgA disease, or are taking the antibiotic vancomycin, then this oil is not for you.

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Topical Treatments For Psoriasis

These are drugs you rub directly on your skin. Along with a good moisturizer, theyâre usually the first thing your doctor will suggest, especially for mild to moderate psoriasis. There are over-the-counter and prescription options.

Topical treatments for psoriasis come as ointments, creams, or foam and include:

Steroid creams. These slow down immune cells in your skin. They can ease swelling and redness. Mild steroid creams are available over the counter. Youâll need a prescription from your doctor for something stronger. Steroids come with side effects and shouldnât be used on sensitive areas like your face or genitals. They can burn or thin the skin. Use them exactly the way your doctor tells you.

Salicylic acid. This can soften and thin scaly skin. But it can also irritate your skin if you leave it on too long. It might weaken your hair follicles and cause temporary hair loss, too. The body can absorb salicylic acid if you put it on large patches of skin.

Calcipotriol . This is a strong form of synthetic vitamin D. Itâs known to control overactive skin cells. Your doctor might pair it with a steroid cream.

Tapinarof is a new steroid-free topical cream that is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. Applied once a day, it can be used on sensitive areas of the body and is safe for long-term use.

How Is Psoriasis Assessed

Psoriasis should be assessed at diagnosis, before your first referral to a specialist, every time you see a specialist and to assess your response to treatment. Psoriasis may be assessed by your doctors using a variety of scores which measure the severity in your skin and joints, how psoriasis is affecting your mood and your activities of daily living and whether you are at risk of heart disease.

These scores include the PASI and DLQI

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Evaluation And Differential Diagnosis

Less common variants of psoriasis include inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, and annular psoriasis .6). These variants can be differentiated from the common plaque type by morphology. Differential diagnoses include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, lichen planus, secondary syphilis, mycosis fungoides, tinea corporis, and pityriasis rosea . Careful observation often yields the diagnosis. For more atypical presentations, a skin biopsy might be helpful.

Differential diagnoses and distinguishing clinical features