Best Treatments for Psoriasis
Whether you’re living with scalp psoriasis or psoriasis on another part of your body, this condition can be tough to manage at times. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatments you can use. Here are a few of the best psoriasis treatments to try.
Psoriasis Treatment
Topical Corticosteroids
If you’re living with mild to moderate psoriasis, it’s common to use topical corticosteroids for treatment. This is because topical corticosteroids come in a wide variety of forms. This particular psoriasis treatment can come in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, gels, foams, psoriasis shampoos, and even sprays. With so many forms of corticosteroids available, this product can be used to treat psoriasis on almost every part of the body. In the majority of cases, topical corticosteroids are applied everyday or every other day according to your dermatologist’s instructions. If you need treatment in a sensitive area or for a widespread flare-up, your dermatologist may recommend using a milder corticosteroid like hydrocortisone. In more severe cases, corticosteroids like triamcinolone or clobetasol can be used.
Synthetic Forms of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is excellent for bone health, but its synthetic form is much better for treating psoriasis than it is for improving bone strength. The most common forms of synthetic vitamin D include calcipotriene and calcitriol. Both variations of synthetic vitamin D are used to help slow the process of skin growth, which can help effectively manage psoriasis flare-ups. While it’s possible to use these products alone, they’re more commonly paired with some form of topical corticosteroid for best treatment results. In addition, this psoriasis treatment is typically a better choice if skin sensitivity is an issue for you. It’s a good idea to talk to your dermatologist about this treatment if you’re worried about skin sensitivity.
Retinoids
Since retinoids help encourage skin cell turnover, they’re another common treatment for patients living with psoriasis. Unfortunately, they’re commonly known to irritate sensitive skin, which can be a problem if they’re being used to treat psoriasis. If skin sensitivity is a concern of yours, make sure you speak with your dermatologist before attempting to use retinoids in any form to treat your psoriasis. If you’re cleared to use this treatment, its most common forms include gels or creams that are applied once or twice daily. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you avoid retinoids altogether.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid might not seem like a psoriasis treatment off the bat, but the truth is that it’s a common ingredient in psoriasis shampoos. If you need help treating scalp psoriasis, salicylic acid shampoos can help reduce dead skin cell buildup. It’s the same process that helps keep pores unclogged when salicylic acid is used to treat acne. As with most of these psoriasis treatments, it’s possible to use this treatment alone. That being said, it’s most effective when used in tandem with another form of treatment like topical corticosteroids.
If you’re suffering from psoriasis symptoms and not sure what avenue of treatment to pursue, set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology today.