Chiropractic Healing Works

Chiropractic Healing Works

4 Treatments to Help Combat Psoriasis

by Charlie Berry

Psoriasis is often thought of as a nuisance dermatological condition, but for people who suffer from psoriasis the condition is much worse. There are treatment options to help you achieve clearer skin and potentially reduce some the complications of psoriasis.

Lifestyle Changes

Although no natural remedies or lifestyle changes can eliminate psoriasis, there are ways you can reduce the severity or duration of flare-ups. Stress is a major lifestyle factor contributing to flare-ups. Since many people with psoriasis often feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when their psoriasis is active on obvious parts of their body, the added stress can make psoriasis worse.

You cannot eliminate stress in your life, but you can take active steps to manage stress. Yoga and meditation are healthy ways to reduce stress. Social support from others who have psoriasis or seeking therapy are other methods of relieving stress.

Topical Medications

Topical medications are often the first treatments dermatologists use, especially in milder cases of psoriasis. The treatments are usually less expensive and can be acquired easily. There are many topical medications used to manage psoriasis and they usually fall into steroidal or non-steroidal options. Prescription non-steroidal topical treatments are used to help reduce the rapid rate of skin cell turnover seen in psoriasis. When psoriasis is slowed, you can experience less flaking and irritation.

Topical steroids are useful for more severe cases of psoriasis to help gain control over flare-ups. However, like systemic steroids, topical steroids can only be used for short periods and you will need to titrate off to reduce the chance of side effects. Many topical medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. In addition to wearing sunscreen, you may want wear hats or light-weight, long-sleeves and pants when outdoors, even in the warmer months.

You may want to try some over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, which can help soothe symptoms. Hydrocortisone cream can be used to reduce itching. Many shampoos used to control dandruff are also helpful for symptoms of scalp psoriasis. Shampoos containing zinc and/or salicylic acid are among the active ingredients you should look for in hair care products. You might even consider using medicated shampoo on active psoriasis patches on your body.

Light Therapy

Light therapy is a good treatment choice because the therapy targets only the areas of active psoriasis. Furthermore, unlike systemic treatments, there is little risk of side effects. Advances in light therapy make the treatment easier because it can be done at home. The light used for treatment is ultraviolet B (UVB), which is more effective at reducing flare-ups over time than ultraviolet A (UVA) spectrums.

Whether you have treatment at home or in the doctor's office, your dermatologist will prescribe treatments for a certain strength and duration per session depending on your psoriasis activity. Light therapy requires significant patience because it is unlikely you will see results quickly. You may have a temporary increase in psoriasis activity before you see improvements. Light therapy can also be used in conjunction with other treatments to enhance their effects.

Systemic Treatments

Systemic treatments, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatics (DMARDs) and biologics, are usually the last line of defense against psoriasis. These medications are potent and work on treating your skin from the inside out. If you have or develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you will need to see a rheumatologist in addition to your dermatologist. DMARDs and biologics are the main treatment options if psoriasis begins to affect your joints.

Both classes of medications are given as either pills, injections or infusions and work by suppressing specific parts of your immune system believed to cause psoriasis or PsA. With effective treatment, the medication helps control the abnormal immune response. When you find an effective medication, it is important to regularly see the doctors responsible for managing your treatment. Over time, your immune system can become desensitized to the effects of your current DMARD or biologic and you may need a different medication to achieve the same results.

Psoriasis can be a frustrating, life-long problem, but there are many treatment options available. Finding an effective treatment or combination of treatments can help you reduce the number of flare-ups and maintain better control over the flare-ups you experience. For more assistance, visit resources such as http://www.dermsurgctr.com.


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About Me

Chiropractic Healing Works

I used to be skeptical about chiropractic healing. However, that was before I tried it for myself. I was in an accident that did serious damage to my back. I followed all of the doctor’s recommendations, did my physical therapy, and still didn’t feel any better. That was when I finally decided to try going to my friend’s chiropractor. It was such a relief when I finally started to feel better thanks to the great chiropractic care I received. That’s when I decided to start researching chiropractic care and how it could be used to treat different conditions. This blog contains the results of that research. If you’re looking for a way to feel better, you too may benefit from chiropractic healing. These articles will help you learn how.

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