Common Treatments for Psoriasis and Why They May Make You Worse

You make an appointment to see your doctor because your psoriasis is flaring up. He looked at it and then took out his order book to order one of the following:

. High-intensity prescription topical treatment

. lights

. Oral and injectable therapy

. exceed the amount of medicinal materials

Any of these treatments (or a combination of them) can be effective for relieving your symptoms and making you feel better – for now. The trouble with conventional treatments is that they rarely work to cure the underlying cause of this skin condition; and that can cause you to endure repeated attacks. However, it’s important to know what help is available and how it can help – or hurt – your chances of successful treatment.

Ointment applied to the skin

Topical ointments are used at the first sign of psoriasis. If caught early enough, they can sometimes prevent a full-blown attack. Unfortunately, most people report becoming immune to them with regular use, which makes them useless for long-term use. However, occasional use of creams or gels may help relieve some of your symptoms. Steroids

Both topical and internal steroids may be prescribed to help reduce the inflammation and itching caused by psoriasis. Immunomodulators (TIMS)

A nonsteroidal treatment for psoriasis, TIMS works by inhibiting a key step in the activation of T lymphocytes, a cell found in the immune system that causes a number of changes seen in lesions and psoriasis. Oral and injectable therapies Oral and injectable therapies used for psoriasis are typically reserved for difficult-to-treat cases and include three main oral and injectable medications: Methotrexate (MTX)

MTX is a chemotherapy drug that has been shown to help reduce the severity of psoriasis. This heavy drug works in two main ways: 1. stops plaque-building cells from regenerating at such a rapid rate 2. stops inflammation on white blood cells, helping psoriasis lesions do not develop. Cyclosporine

An immunosuppressant originally used to help transplant patients beat organ rejection, Cyclosporine helps inhibit the production of T lymphocytes so that scaly plaques cannot develop on the skin’s surface. . Oral retinoids

Retinoids are synthetic Vitamin A-based drugs that fall into two main groups: Isotretinoins and Acitretins.

Side effects need to be kept in mind when using drug therapy

Psoriasis drug treatments can help ease your symptoms, but they can also cause some unpleasant side effects. Although irritation is the most common side effect of these medications, some more serious side effects can include:. thinning of the skin – if continued, this can become a real health hazard

. stretch marks

. acne like eruption

. dermatitis

. Increases the lightness or darkness of the skin

. folliculitis

. increased blood vessel formation

. infection

. Psoriasis relapses

. loss of effectiveness over time (the drug simply stops working)

Lights

One of the most effective (and safest) forms of psoriasis treatment is natural sunlight. When used properly (and in combination with other treatments), sunlight can help heal sore and damaged skin as well as rid the body of psoriasis.

Phototherapy, which combines UVB and UVA rays with topical steroids or other ointments, for best results. Dead sea salt

Although a popular psoriasis treatment in Asia, Dead Sea salt water is now gaining popularity among American dermatologists. Just soaking in a bathtub filled with these cups can give you a lot of relief. With the wide variety of conventional psoriasis therapies available, it can be difficult for patients to judge whether the level of relief offered is worth the risk. Discuss both the pros and cons of all medications with your doctor before treating psoriasis.

This article is based on the book, “Psoriasis Revolution” by Dan Crawford. Dan is an author, speaker, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who has dedicated his life to creating the ultimate holistic Psoriasis solution that guarantees permanent cure. Eliminate Psoriasis and significantly improve your quality of life naturally without the use of prescription drugs and without any side effects.  Learn more by visiting his website: