There's no cure for psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition characterized by red inflamed patches and white flakes. Nevertheless, you have several treatment options available that you can discuss with your dermatologists, to help manage your skin condition.
Topical Treatment
Topical treatments are the first line of treatment for psoriasis. These treatments could be over-the-counter treatments or prescription medication that you can get from your dermatologist.
Over-the-counter topical treatments that you could get to remove the scales, relieve itching, or moisturize your skin include lotions, shampoos, salts, and bath solutions.
Your Baton Rouge, and Prairieville, LA, dermatologists at Atlas Dermatology could prescribe steroid or nonsteroid topical medications to reduce the inflammation and improve your psoriasis.
Phototherapy
Ultraviolet light treatment with or without light-activating agents could be useful for treating your psoriasis.
This treatment should be performed by your dermatologists. UVB rays treatments such as excimer and pulse dye lasers are effective at treating psoriasis.
Your dermatologist could also use UVA rays with light-activating agents called psoralens. Sunlight containing both UVA and UVB rays could relieve your psoriasis symptoms.
Systemics
These are prescription medications such as cyclosporine and methotrexate that your dermatologist can prescribe for your psoriasis. Your dermatologist might prescribe systemic therapy if you aren't responding or can't tolerate topical therapy or phototherapy.
Biologics
These are protein-based drugs synthesized in the laboratory from cultured cells. Your doctor can administer biologics through intramuscular injection or intravenous infusion to treat your psoriasis through immunosuppression.
Bio-similar drugs synthesized to closely resemble FDA-approved biologics might be effective psoriasis therapies for you too.
Complementary and Integrative Therapy
These therapies include switching to a healthy diet, acupuncture, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes that could help improve your psoriasis. With your doctor's approval, you could combine these therapies with your existing treatment plan.