Psoriasis Treatment Tips and Solutions

Psoriasis is a skin disease wherein the symptoms include rashes in the knees, elbows, the face, and even in the genitals and the scalp. Psoriasis affects a large section of the population (it is more common among Scandinavians and less common among Africans and Asians) and to those who are affected, psoriasis treatment is a priority because the rashes often look bad. Psoriasis is a disease that has been around for centuries, and so the tryst to find a psoriasis treatment has also been quite long.

But before there is further discuss on the subject of psoriasis treatment, it is important to keep in mind that a permanent cure to the disease is almost impossible, as the rashes keep coming back after a few months or years. But with the right psoriasis treatment, the symptoms of the disease can be eradicated to give relief to the affected individual.

Another thing that has been seen is that since the scars affect mostly the exposed portions of the skin, psoriasis often leads to psychosocial problems, apart from the physical one’s. So psoriasis treatment should also involve this aspect.

Psoriasis treatment can be classified into these 3 types…

• Topical treatments

• Light therapy

• Alternative therapy

Topical Treatments: Anthralin, calcipotriol, and other topical steroids are the usual topical treatments that are available for psoriasis. Anthralin is used as a lotion, ointment or a cream and it comes from the Araroba tree bark. There are 2 types of Anthralin – the strong one’s need not be applied for more than 15 to 20 minutes, while the weaker one’s need to be kept on for the night. It works by slowing the skin cell growth and thus controlling the disease. But it might not be advisable to use Anthralin in the skin folds and in the genitals. Though Calcipotriol is effective, but it takes a long time to treat psoriasis. Calcipotriol may also cause an irritation in some. Topical steroids on the other hand, if used over a long time can cause harmful side effects.

Perhaps the best line of psoriasis treatment is in the use of natural products – they are safe and are very effective as well. Many of these natural psoriasis treatment products have been scientifically developed to deliver quick results.

Light Treatments: Light therapy or UVB Phototherapy involves the use of light about 3 to 5 times in a given week to treat the condition. Though there is some sunburn, but it is not serious. Ultraviolet B light waves that are between 290-320 nm are passed to achieve the results. Light therapy is usually not the only line of treatment – it is mixed up with topical applications for best results. However there is a school of thought that says that light treatments can lead to skin cancer.

Alternative Therapy: Alternative approaches of psoriasis treatment include the use of sunlight, water therapy, diet and even yoga. The Dead Sea water is supposed to be very good for the skin, and according to reports for psoriasis too it is very effective. There are also a few fish springs that work positively in psoriasis treatment.