Saturday, December 7, 2013

Psoriasis Treatment and Phases of Relief


Psoriasis is a chronic medical skin condition that affects 3-5% of all people. Psoriasis is very similar to other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol in that it cannot be eliminated. Unlike some other skin conditions - there is no cure for Psoriasis.

Although the level of severity can vary from very mild which includes one or two small rough patches that are hardly noticeable to extremely severe red, scaling plaques that cover nearly the entire body. Psoriasis can become so severe that it can lead to psoriatic arthritis. Because psoriatic arthritis is degenerative, it is important to intervene early with appropriate treatments and medications. Approximately 33 % of all people with psoriasis eventually progress with psoriatic arthritis.

There are three primary treatment levels for managing psoriasis, which are based on the severity of psoriasis.

The first phase of treatment involves topical moisturizers and anti-inflammatory agents such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory creams and ointments, and topical steroid creams and ointments. Additionally, creams containing vitamin D and vitamin A. There are both over-the-counter medications including such ingredients as salicylic acid and those that contain steroids that must be prescribed by your dermatologists.

Photo-Light Therapy using ultraviolet B light is often used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis.

The second treatment phases are systemic medications. These include medicines such has methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral retinoids, which work very well, but have a higher incident of side-effects. The risks and benefits to using this treatment phase should be carefully weighed before prescribing them. When properly managed the results are satisfactory.

The third phase of treatments is a newer class of medications called biologic agents. These medications derived from antibodies - proteins that attach to other proteins. Once attached the biologics mimic tiny sponges, and absorb the proteins that cause skin cells to grow rapidly. This process slows cell turn production and psoriasis. Some biologics have been designed to help with inflammation, which helps to treat psoriatic arthritis in the joints.

Most people suffering from psoriasis undergo treatments containing a combination of therapies. These combination treatments work synergistically to manage varying aspects and symptoms of the disease. While the search continues to discover a cure for psoriasis, early detection and treatment used today have certainly advanced at helping to manage and relieve psoriasis flare ups, joint pain and mobility.

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