What Medicine To Take For Psoriasis

Psoriasis: Oral Medications And Injections

Topical treatment alone doesnt always help enough in people with moderate to severe psoriasis. Then medications that have an effect throughout the entire body are considered. They can be taken as tablets or injected. Because of the possible side effects, it is a good idea to be well informed about their pros and cons.

Mild plaque psoriasis can usually be effectively treated with topical medications. Additional treatment may be needed for moderate to severe psoriasis. UV light therapy is often tried first. If that doesn’t help either, oral medications and injections are considered. This is called “systemic treatment” because the medicines enter the bloodstream and have an effect throughout the entire body . The treatment typically begins with one of these drugs:

• Methotrexate
• Fumaric acid esters
• Ciclosporin
• Less common: Acitretin

If these medications don’t provide enough relief for psoriasis or are unsuitable for some other reason, treatment with biological treatments is possible. This group of drugs manufactured using biotechnology includes:

• Adalimumab
• Infliximab
• Ixekizumab

Another option is apremilast . It belongs to a separate class of drugs.

Psoriasis Weight And Nutrition

No single diet or food will treat or prevent psoriasis. And you can get this condition at any size. Still, there are some signs that nutrition and weight do affect it — just as they affect many other conditions.

Body fat fuels inflammation. Doctors have known for a while that losing weight can reduce psoriasis symptoms and help your medicines work better at clearing your skin. The open question is: What’s the best way to lose weight?

In studies, people with psoriasis who trimmed off as little as 5% of their weight by following a low-calorie diet had clearer skin.

The traditional Mediterranean diet can also help lower inflammation, with foods like fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil. Researchers are looking at whether that might help make psoriasis less severe.

One small, short study offered a very low-calorie keto diet, followed by 6 weeks of a traditional Mediterranean diet. All the people in the study were overweight or obese and had psoriasis but werenât taking medication for it. They lost weight, and their psoriasis improved. Itâs not clear if that was because of the weight loss, the types of food they ate, or both things. More research will be needed to see exactly what worked.

How Do You Take Biologic Medications

You take biologics subcutaneously or intravenously . How often you take the biologic depends on the medication anywhere from twice a week to once every 3 months. Here are some specifics:

• Subcutaneous injections: Most biologics come in an injector pen, so you never see a needle. You squeeze an area of fat on your belly or thigh and push a button. You may choose to inject yourself or ask a friend or family member to help. Your provider or pharmacist might also be able to help you inject. Medication companies also have great resources with how-to-inject videos online and phone numbers that you can call to help you troubleshoot. Some will even send a nurse to your home to teach you how to do it.

• Intravenous infusions: Many biologics come in infusion form. This means that you have to drive to an infusion center and get an IV placed in your arm. Infusions can take several hours to complete. Nurses keep a close eye on you while you are there to watch for side effects. For some, this might be more convenient.

Don’t Miss: Early Stages Of Plaque Psoriasis

What Are The Risk Factors For Psoriasis

While anyone can develop psoriasis, the following factors can increase your risk:

Family History Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk, and having two parents with the condition puts you at greater risk.

Infections People with HIV are more likely to develop psoriasis. Additionally, strep throat has been linked with the development of a certain type of psoriasis, called guttate psoriasis. This causes small, round, scaly rashes to develop, usually on the trunk and arms. Kids and young adults with this type of recurring infection may be at increased risk.

Stress Since stress can impact your immune system by causing inflammation, high stress levels may increase your risk of psoriasis.

Obesity Being overweight or obese increases your risk, and psoriasis often develops in the creases and folds of skin.

Smoking Smoking tobacco increases your risk and the severity of psoriasis, and may initiate the development of the disease.

Tip #: Be Honest About Your Symptoms

Hiding how psoriasis impacts you isnt going to serve anyoneyou or your doctor. Bridges stresses the importance of letting your care team know how this condition impacts every part of you, including, school, work, dating, and even normal, daily tasks.

For Ruparelia, that meant paying attention to physical symptoms, lifestyle challenges, and her overall mental health between appointments, so that she was able to share the complete picture with her doctor when she had the floor. This helped her feel empowered and also an equal player on the health care team. My doctor can only help me if Im sharing my full story with them.

Cybele Fishman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology PC, agrees with that sentiment. She emphasizes that people should be very specific about how psoriasis impacts their life there is no need to be embarrassed, she says, because doctors have heard it all.

You May Like: List Of Biologics For Psoriasis

What Is The Best Cream For Psoriasis

Just like with any medication, the best cream for your psoriasis may be vastly different from the best cream for someone else. There are many different topical therapies on the market for treating psoriasis. You may need to try a few different ones before finding your perfect cream. Always consult your dermatologist or healthcare professional on what the best treatment for your psoriasis may be.

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.

Recommended Reading: Can A Dog Get Psoriasis

So What Are My Psoriasis Medication Options

As we mentioned, there are several different types of psoriasis: plaque psoriasis , scalp psoriasis, guttate, pustular, inverse, erythrodermic, and even psoriatic arthritis, which is a combo of psoriasis and arthritis. The medication youre prescribed is often determined by your type, and may include topical treatments, drugs taken orally, and injections. Let’s start by taking a look at topical medications for psoriasis.

• Skin irritation at the application site

• Skin thinning

• Stretch marks

• Discoloration

New Era Of Psoriasis Treatment

In the 1960s and ’70s, new info about how the immune system — your body’s defense against germs — plays a role in psoriasis led to several new treatments. Drugs like corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate became mainstays for managing the disease. For the next few decades, though, advances in treatment slowed down.

Thanks to recent progress in research, that’s history.

Scientists studying other autoimmune diseases found new insights about the immune system. It turns out that some of the problems in those conditions are active in psoriasis, as well.

The new info brought treatments that target specific areas of your immune system. Called biologics, these drugs launched a new era of psoriasis treatment. New biologic therapies work well to treat psoriasis, and other new treatments are close to FDA approval.

Also Check: Shea Butter For Scalp Psoriasis

What To Discus With Your Dermatologist

Be sure to tell your dermatologist if you:

• Experience any health problem, even if it seems unrelated to taking methotrexate, such as fever, chills, body aches, bleeding, or bruising easily

• Become pregnant

• Feel uncertain about how to take methotrexate

• Think the information that came with the medicine about how to take methotrexate differs from what your dermatologist told you

Images

Cordoro KM. Management of childhood psoriasis. Adv Dermatol. 2008 24:125-69.

Feldman SR. Treatment of psoriasis. UpToDate 2015 Jul, Wolters Kluwer Health. Last accessed November 2015.

Hugh J, Van Voorhees AS, et al. From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: The risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with psoriasis and the potential impact of current therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 70:168-77.

Menter A, Korman NJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis Section 4. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with traditional systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol2009 61:451-85.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

Should You Take A Biologic

It depends on 5 things:

1. How much of your skin is affected by psoriasis

Doctors often use biologic drugs on people with moderate to severe psoriasis.

• Moderate psoriasis means that 3% to 10% of your body is covered with red, scaly patches.
• Severe psoriasis means that more than 10% of your body is covered.

You may also want to take a biologic drug if you have mild psoriasis but it really bothers you.

2. How much psoriasis affects your life

• If your psoriasis doesnât really bother you, the doctor may tell you that a biologic drug isn’t worth the risks. Biologics suppress your immune system. That means they can make you more likely to get an infection.
• They may not be worth the cost, either. Biologic drugs are expensive. Depending on the drug and the dose, they can cost $10,000 to $30,000 or more a year.

3. Your health

The doctor will take a careful look at your health history. Biologic drugs may not be best for people with certain health conditions, including:

• A history of infections such as tuberculosis
• A history of cancer
• A weak immune system because of a disease like HIV or cancer

Biologics may cause a recurrence of some chronic diseases that are in remission. Also, because biologics suppress the immune system, they could make serious infections more likely.

4. Insurance coverage

5. Your preferences

Read Also: Scalp Psoriasis Flare Up Treatment

Best Psoriasis Treatment At Home

There are a few key things that you can do at home to help manage your psoriasis symptoms before you get your customised Homeopathy medicines from Welling Clinic,

1. Keep your skin moisturized: Dry skin can make psoriasis worse, so make sure to keep your skin moisturized. Apply a moisturizer right after you bathe or shower when your skin is still damp. Look for a moisturizer that contains ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, or mineral oil.

2. Avoid harsh irritants: Harsh irritants like soap, detergents, and solvents can aggravate psoriasis symptoms. Try to avoid contact with these things as much as possible.

3. Wear loose-fitting clothes: Tight clothing can irritate psoriasis symptoms, so try to wear clothes that are looser.

4. Keep your fingernails trimmed: If you have psoriatic arthritis, then keeping your nails short can help keep pressure off of affected joints.

5. Protect your skin from the sun: When youre outside, make sure to cover up with a hat and sun block.

6. Get help for depression: If you have psoriasis, then theres a good chance that you have depression related to it as well. Talk to your doctor about getting treated if you are experiencing these symptoms.

7. Exercise regularly: Daily exercise can help reduce the stress associated with psoriasis and it might also help improve your overall health.

Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A

For this treatment, you’ll first be given a tablet containing compounds called psoralens, or psoralen may be applied directly to the skin. This makes your skin more sensitive to light.

Your skin is then exposed to a wavelength of light called ultraviolet A . This light penetrates your skin more deeply than ultraviolet B light.

This treatment may be used if you have severe psoriasis that has not responded to other treatment.

Side effects include nausea, headaches, burning and itchiness. You may need to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking the tablet to prevent the development of cataracts.

Long-term use of this treatment is not encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take For Psoriasis To Clear Up

Tip #: Recognize That Mental Health Is Important Too

Psoriasis can be a deeply emotional condition that can impact your self-esteem and overall mental and emotional health. Theres research to back that up, as studies have shown that depression, anxiety, and stress all seem to be higher in people with psoriasis and may even contribute to flare-ups.5 Because psoriasis is more than skin-deep, its important to reach out to a mental health professional if youre feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious about living with psoriasis. A few places to start include:

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Inclusive Therapists, which is a resource for finding a therapist who shares your identities or at the very least affirms them

Finding psoriasis-specific support, whether its through other people living with psoriasis or advocacy groups, can also help you on your journey, especially if therapy is inaccessible to you. Here are a couple to check out:

• National Psoriasis Foundation: This organization offers one-on-one mentorship, peer support groups, and events you can attend to meet others with psoriasis.
• Skin of Color Society: This professional organization focuses on skin health issues in people of color, and has excellent resources and information about how psoriasis affects people with darker skin tones differently than those with lighter skin tones.

Vitamin D Analogues And Combo Products

These creams, liquids, and foams are believed to stop the overgrowth of skin cells, which may help prevent future psoriasis flares. They also help clear current patches by sloughing off scaly skin and flattening plaques so they are less noticeable.

• Dovonex is a synthetic form of vitamin D that comes in a cream or a liquid for scalp psoriasis. You apply it twice a day for up to eight weeks.

• Vectical is a natural form of vitamin D that comes in an ointment formulation to use twice daily. While most topicals are okay to use during pregnancy, Vectical is not.

• Enstilar is a foam thats a combination of a synthetic form of vitamin D and a steroid. Its approved for adults only and used once a day for up to a month.

• Taclonex is a liquid vitamin D-steroid combo thats approved for use in children ages 12 and up. Use it once a day for up to a month.

Research has shown that using a vitamin D analogue with a corticosteroid may not only be more effective than using either one alone, but the combo can even reduce the side effects that can come with strong steroid use. But side effects can include:

• Skin burning

• Peeling

Recommended Reading: Can You Just Develop Psoriasis

Best Homeopathic Medicines For Psoriasis

• 27

Homeopathy is a safe and reliable method of treatment for Psoriasis. It uses natural medicine, which is free from side-effects, and a majority of cases can be treated with these remedies. They can be used by people of all age groups. They work by moderating the over-active immune system. The initial aim is to manage the itching and burning sensation in the eruptions. In addition, healing of the current eruptions takes place along with the prevention of further spread of eruptions. Homeopathic medicines also are very beneficial for treating joint pains that are linked with Psoriasis .

Topical Medications For Psoriasis

Clobetasol , triamcinolone , fluocinolone , and betamethasone are examples of commonly prescribed corticosteroids.

• How corticosteroids work: Corticosteroids decrease skin inflammation and itching.
• Who should not use these medications: Individuals with corticosteroid allergy or skin infections should not use corticosteroids.
• Use: Apply a thin film to affected skin areas. These creams or ointments are usually applied two times a day, but dosage depends on severity of the psoriasis.
• Drug or food interactions: No interactions have been reported with topical use.
• Adverse effects: Corticosteroids may cause adverse effects to the body if used over large areas. They can also cause local thinning of the skin. Do not use for long periods of time. It is best not to put bandages over the treated skin unless directed by the physician because too much of the medicine may be absorbed into the body.

Creams and Ointments Related to Vitamin D

Calcipotriene is a relative of vitamin D-3 that is used to treat moderate psoriasis.

• How vitamin D medications work: Calcipotriene slows the production of excess skin cells.
• Who should not use these medications: Individuals with the following conditions should not take calcipotriene:
• Allergy to calcipotriene cream
• Vitamin D toxicity

Tar-Containing Preparations

Don’t Miss: Que Jabon Es Bueno Para La Psoriasis

Tip #: Search For A Specialist If You Can

It sounds simple, but finding a physician who is an expert in psoriasis and spends the majority of their day with clinicalnot cosmeticpatients is a key place to start, Kellogg says. She was diagnosed with painful palmoplantar psoriasis, also known as hand psoriasis, in her late 20s. Still, it took several years and a frustrating series of doctors and treatments before she found a physician-partner who really listened and helped her gain access to advanced treatment options.

You want someone who is passionate about their work, understands the burden of the disease, and is aware of the latest treatments and standards of care, Kellogg says. When searching for a board-certified dermatologist, Kellogg recommends looking for specialists who address psoriasis prominently on their website or provider biography. Chances are, if they are highlighting the disease through content, they are looking to treat patients just like you, she says.

While the idea of just finding a specialist sounds great, its often not that simple. For some people, seeing any dermatologist is a luxury, especially if you dont have health insurance or you have a plan that does not cover specialists. This is a problem that is borne out in the research too. One 2018 study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology found Hispanic and Black patients were less likely than non-Hispanic white patients to receive care from a dermatologist due to a lack of health insurance and a lack of access to specialists.2