Psoriasis Treatments Medication and Cures

Psoriasis treatments, medications and cures are used by millions of Americans looking to reduce the symptoms of the chronic skin disorder.  Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic immune disorder which affects the skin. The disorder currently affects over 7 million Americans. Many people affected by the chronic skin and joint disorder disease say it affects their self esteem, as well as alters their image, which causes them to be ridiculed or stared at. Psoriasis consists of a rash-like formation on the skin which is debilitating mentally and physically. The most common form of psoriasis of the five known types is called "plaque psoriasis". In the plaque psoriasis condition there is a recurring formation of scaly skin, made in areas of excess skin production or inflammation. This is evidenced by patches of raised, red skin covered by silvery-white scales on the body. Psoriasis can affect the face, genitals, hands, finger and toenails and scalp making it a very irritating problem for many people.

Psoriasis affects all types of people including celebrities. One particular celebrity who has recently spoken out about dealing with Psoriasis is country music star, Leann Rimes. She has dealt with Psoriasis her entire lifetime. Leann Rimes has brought the disease to attention with her work on "Stop Hiding". Rimes recently appeared on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" to discuss what it's been like to live with psoriasis, saying how tough it can be on many people's self esteems.  Rimes is just one person working to bring this condition as well as psoriasis treatments, cures and medication to public attention.

There's a range of psoriasis treatments including medications that are used to either reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the condition. These treatments and how successful they are depends on the psoriasis patient's specifics. There are treatments for mild or severe cases of the condition. A mild case of psoriasis is where the individual sees 3-10 % of their body affected by the disorder. In a severe case, over 10% of their body is affected.

Often times, a person dealing with psoriasis may also find themselves dealing with a lowered perception of themselves as well as negative feelings about how the public views them. This can lead to deep feelings of depression as the psoriasis is chronic and recurring. It's important for those with psoriasis to acknowledge their condition, yet not let it control their lives completely. You can see some great ways to cope or reduce depression at Depression Hurts - Ways of overcoming depression.

Read on for ways to treat mild, moderate and severe cases of psoriasis...

Psoriasis treatments for mild cases include OTC topical, steroids (topical or non-topical) and light therapy. Over-the-Counter topicals include salicylic acid and tar in them to help with removal of psoriasis scales and restoration of the skin's appearance. Topical treatments which may be prescribed include Dovonex, Anthralin, Taclonex and Tazorec. These are treatments applied to the skin on a regular basis to slow down the excessive skin growth and reduce inflammation.

Topical steroids are another way to treat psoriasis. They are generally used as anti-inflammatory agents which will lessen the swelling and redness of lesions caused by psoriasis. The topical steroids vary in strength and may carry side effects including skin damage, easy bruising and stretch marks.

Light therapy has also been used to treat mild cases of psoriasis. This comes through the use of special laser treatments which target specific areas of the skin. Patients return for several sessions before they will begin to see results. Other light treatments that some psoriasis patients respond to include exposure to sunlight and tanning beds. It is best to consult with your doctor for the best course of action to take in your treatment.

Other more natural remedies to treat psoriasis include moisturizers, bath solutions and scale lifters to help loosen and remove the scaly patches. Adding various bath oils, oatmeals or dead sea salts to bath water can help as well in many mild cases.

Psoriasis treatments for severe to moderate cases include Phototherapy and various systemics such as Cyclosporine, Methotrexate and Acitretin. Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis, by medical supervision. The UVB which is present in natural sunlight is effective at treating psoriasis, because it penetrates the skin and slows the growth of the specific skin cells. The phototherapy treatments occur under medical supervision either in the home or office.

Systemics are prescribed medications that include Cyclosporine, Methotrexate and Acitretin. These are prescriptions drugs which are taken orally or injected and most commonly used when a patient isn't responding to other psoriasis treatments. Cyclosporine is used to suppress the immune system. It then slows down the growth of certain immune cells to reduce or eliminate psoriasis. Methotrexate was originally used to treat cancer but has been found to be effective in treating arthritic psoriasis as well. The drug binds to a specific enzyme involved in rapid skin cell growth and slows down the growth rate. Finally there is Acitretin, which is a synthetic version of Vitamin A taken orally. The exact way this drug works to deal with psoriasis is unknown at this time.

Another form of drug prescribed with those suffering from moderate-severe cases of psoriasis are known as "Biologics". Biologics are a relatively new form of medical treatment for psoriasis. These include Amevive, Enbrel, Humira and Remicade. They are administered either into the muscle or the legs, abdomen or arms. Remicade is administered by intravenous method. Biologics work by targeting a specific area of the immune system, and blocking the actions of certain immune cells (either T-Cells or TNF-alpha) which cause the psoriasis.

As you can see from the above information, psoriasis can be a very troubling, irritating and difficult condition for a person to cope with.  Getting the proper forms of treatment is essential to improving your quality of life.  Consult with your primary physician and other health specialists for the best forms of treatment for you, and know that you can beat psoriasis!