Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic relapsing immune-mediated skin disease characterized by red and scaly patches, which itch. Psoriasis commonly affects areas like the head/scalp, hands, back, elbows, knees, and feet. Psoriasis is not merely a skin problem but can also be caused by issues in different organs of the body. For example, a type of psoriasis called psoriatic arthritis is actually a problem related to the joints. It can also be associated with nails, Crohn’s disease, depression, or anxiety.

In recent studies, it has been found that the reason for psoriasis can be a metabolic syndrome that involves increased cardiovascular diseases and heart stroke, hypertension, obesity (abdominal), glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes.

Psoriasis Treatment: The modern-day dermatology has found many effectual psoriasis treatments to enable minimizing psoriasis and prevent it. On the basis of the type of Psoriasis, its severity, your age and comorbidities, we provide various psoriasis treatments like topical treatments, oral medications, Phototherapy, Excimer laser and injectable biological to help you diminish this skin problem.

Topical therapy: Topical therapy uses creams, lotions, and ointments which are recommended for smaller skin areas. These help in reducing the cell proliferation and suppress irritation to ultimately decrease the severity, redness as well as the itching caused in the patches formed by psoriasis. These creams and lotions and ointments usually consist of Salicylic acid, Anthralin, Tar, Topical Vitamin D3 analog and Topical Retinoids etc.

Oral medications: Oral medications are prescribed to the patients who have large skin areas affected by the psoriasis. Usually, a thorough check-up is done to understand the patient’s condition and know the medical history before suggesting any oral medications. The oral medications used for psoriasis treatment are calcineurin inhibitor, Anti Proliferative Medicines and Retinoids. These medications shall only be taken if prescribed by an expert dermatologist.

Excimer laser: Excimer laser is a relatively new technique recently to treat chronic or localized plaque psoriasis. The Excimer laser is a high intensity beam of UVB which is emitted on the affected area. As per the severity and the size of the affected area the number of sessions can vary from four to ten. Two treatments can be done in a week but with a gap of minimum 48 hours.

Biologicals: The biologicals, unlike traditional drugs that focus on the complete immune system; focus only on the specific parts of it. This works by blocking the specific immune system activity of cells and the proteins which play vital role in the formation of psoriasis. These are either injected or IV infused. The commonly used biological is secukinumab. The biological are a feasible option for the patients who were not able to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis through other psoriasis treatments or may have risks of side effects from other treatment options.