Breaking down treatment options for psoriasis

More than 8 million people are affected by psoriasis in the United States, and an estimated 30% will also develop psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells. This buildup of skin cells can result in red patches that are covered with thick, silvery scales or small scaling spots.

While it is caused by a dysfunction of the immune system, the cause of this dysfunction is unknown. A person’s immune system and genetics play a major role in the development of the condition.

There are different types of psoriasis and their triggers vary from person to person.

Treatment options available aren’t one-size-fits-all and vary based on the location and type of the psoriasis (mild, moderate or severe). In partnership with your dermatologist, you can work together to find the right psoriasis treatment for you.

Here are some commonly recommended treatment options:

Topicals are often the first treatment recommended to a newly diagnosed patient. The most frequently prescribed topical medications for treating mild to moderate psoriasis are corticosteroids, which are available as ointments, creams, locations, gels, foams, sprays and shampoos. There are many other topical treatment options (steroids, non-steroids and over-thecounter) that your dermatologist may recommend to a newly diagnosed patient to help manage flare ups.

For those with moderate to severe psoriasis, light therapy is often recommended as a firstline treatment and can be used on its own or in combination with medications. During treatment, the skin is exposed to controlled amounts of natural or artificial ultraviolet light. The key to these treatments is being consistent with follow-ups.

One type of light therapy, ultraviolet light B (UVB), which is present in natural sunlight, can be an effective treatment for psoriasis. This therapy can treat single patches, widespread psoriasis and psoriasis that has not improved with topical treatments. The UVB light works by penetrating the skin and slowing the growth of the affected skin cells.

UVB phototherapy involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a set amount of time on a regular schedule. This treatment can be offered in different ways and can be effective in treating small areas such as hands and feet, or larger areas. UVB can be used in phototherapy or via an excimer laser. After the initial course of treatments, maintenance therapy is recommended.

The excimer laser, which is approved by the FDA for treating chronic, localized psoriasis plaques, emits a high-intensity beam of UVB. It can target areas with mild-to-moderate psoriasis and research shows it is an effective treatment for scalp psoriasis.

Rather then a systemic drug that impacts your entire body, biologics only target specific parts of the immune system. Biologics that treat psoriasis block the action of a specific type of immune cell called a Tcell or they block proteins in the immune system that play a major role in developing psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

These treatments are taken by injection or IV infusion and will vary by your condition. These are often a recommended treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in people who haven’t responded to first-line therapies.

The National Psoriasis Foundation is a great resource for those seeking to learn more about the symptoms and treatment options of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. You can visit their website at www. psoriasis.org.

If you’re struggling with psoriasis, it’s important to work closely with your dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that works best for you and your situation. Call 610-288-2908 if you’d like to schedule an appointment with our team.

Dr. Daniel Shurman of Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners in Amity Township completed his dermatology training at Thomas Jefferson University. He is fellowship-trained in both Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology, and his research interests include medical genetics, antibiotics in dermatologic surgery and wound healing.