Psoriasis is a skin condition that has no cure, but there are a number of treatments that can help to control the symptoms. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, however. It may take multiple types of treatments to get the most benefits, so it can take some trial and error to find the best way to control your Psoriasis in Fairfax County VA.
Topical Treatments
One of the first treatments a doctor typically prescribes for psoriasis is a topical treatment. There are a variety of options available, including some that are over-the-counter and some that need a prescription. Creams containing steroids, vitamin A, coal tar, salicylic acid, aloe vera, capsaicin, jojoba, zinc pyrithione, vitamin D3, and anthralin are some examples. Functions of topical treatments include acting as anti-inflammatories to reduce redness and swelling, moisturizing and soothing the skin and reducing itching and scaliness of the skin.
Phototherapy
Ultraviolet light therapy can also help to treat Psoriasis in Fairfax County VA. Ultraviolet light B goes into the skin and slows down the growth of the cells, helping to clear up psoriasis outbreaks and lengthen the time a person is in remission. However, when the treatment is first started, symptoms may actually get worse before they get better. Make sure if you take medications or use topical treatments along with UVB therapy that these don’t increase the risk of burning due to increasing light sensitivity. Treatments must be done consistently for the best results.
Oral and Injectable Treatments
Oral and injectable medications are typically used only in moderate-to-severe cases of psoriasis. These include biologic and systemic treatments. Biologic treatments are protein-based and made in laboratories that help target the immune system to block T cells and proteins in the immune system that can contribute to psoriasis symptoms. They are usually given by IV or injected. Those who don’t respond to topical treatments or light therapy are sometimes given systemic medications like cyclosporine, acitretin, or methotrexate. Sometimes, these are in liquid or pill form, and other times they need to be given by injection. There are also some new oral treatments that are able to help correct problems with the immune system that make it overactive and help limit inflammation, swelling, joint tenderness, redness, and scaliness.
Contact the Tamjidi Skin Institute for more information on psoriasis treatment. They can help with this and other skin-related problems.
