You might assume that psoriasis only affects your skin. After all, you see it appear on your skin as scales, plaques, and pustules. But psoriasis affects other parts of your body, too.
Managing psoriasis is important in preventing it from getting worse or affecting other parts of your body.
Most doctors use a combination of treatments to help psoriasis. New medications are targeting the condition in more effective ways than before.
One of the main reasons there’s no cure for psoriasis is that experts don’t know exactly what causes it.
Psoriasis is a condition that requires individual treatment plans because its causes are unknown. Research suggests that this condition could be caused by:
- your immune system
- your genes
- environmental factors
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that can’t be cured. It begins when your immune system essentially fights against your own body. This results in skin cells that grow too quickly, causing flares on your skin.
The effects of this condition include more than just skin lesions. Other conditions can result, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
PsA is a disease that affects the joints. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and stiffness in your joints. It affects approximately 30% of those with psoriasis.
Other health conditions — called comorbidities — may arise with psoriasis, such as:
- cardiovascular conditions
- cancers, such as lymphoma
- diabetes
- inflammatory bowel disease
- liver conditions
- kidney disease
- metabolic diseases
- mental health conditions like depression
- obesity
- erectile dysfunction
- alcoholism
These wide-ranging health implications require you to manage your psoriasis effectively. Most likely, this will involve a variety of treatments.
Delaying treatment or ignoring symptoms can lead to your condition worsening, which is why you should talk with your doctor when symptoms develop. Your doctor will work with you to create an effective treatment plan.
This lack of understanding about the cause of psoriasis means that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for it at this time.
Treatment plans are evolving as researchers discover more about the condition. Traditional treatments from many years ago mainly targeted the skin.
Now treatment plans for moderate to severe psoriasis target many areas of the body. The newest drugs for psoriasis can even
It’s now recommended that doctors approach psoriasis treatment at many levels. Doctors should look at a variety of factors when managing psoriasis, including:
- screening for comorbidities
- screening for PsA
- screening for current medications you take
- screening for triggers, such as stress, infections, obesity, and smoking
- using a combination of treatment methods
This treatment approach reflects how complicated psoriasis is and how many factors lie beyond your skin.
Combination therapy is typical for psoriasis. This approach incorporates a variety of treatment methods to manage your psoriasis. Your doctor may use several approaches, such as:
- topical treatments
- oral medications
- light therapy
- biologic therapy
Some believe
- maintaining a nutritious diet
- exercising regularly
- using stress-reduction techniques
- adding dietary supplements
Talk with your doctor before trying complementary therapies because they may impact your management plan.
Your doctor may decide your mild psoriasis only needs first-line treatments. Several options exist.
You may start with an over-the-counter topical like:
- fragrance-free moisturizers
- shampoos or body creams that contain salicylic acid or coal tar
A prescription topical may be better for your psoriasis. Prescription topicals have a higher concentration of active ingredients. Some contain steroids.
Light therapy can be administered at your doctor’s office or even at your house with the right equipment. Ultraviolet light therapy can improve psoriasis but should be done with guidance from your doctor.
Mild psoriasis still requires careful monitoring by you and your doctor. Schedule regular appointments to review your treatment plan.
More widespread psoriasis will require medications that treat your immune system and other parts of your body to keep the condition from getting worse or causing other health issues.
Systemic medications are commonly used for people with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Some systemic medications have been available for decades. You can take them orally or through an injection or intravenously. They target your entire body and suppress your immune system. You’ll likely need regular bloodwork to monitor for side effects.
Biologics are the most recent treatment developed for psoriasis. They are made from living cells and target specific parts of your immune system, like T cells and proteins known to trigger psoriasis. These drugs are administered via injection or intravenously.
Using this treatment method is thought to help improve and control psoriasis, as well as decrease the risk for other comorbid conditions, giving you a higher quality of life.
It’s imperative that your doctor consider many factors when treating psoriasis. On the surface, it seems like just a skin condition. But there can be more serious implications if you don’t treat it.
Unmanaged or undermanaged psoriasis can lead to the condition getting worse. It can also lead to the development or worsening of PsA and other comorbidities.
Here are ways you can manage your psoriasis:
- Make sure your doctor creates a management plan that works for you.
- Follow the treatment plan.
- Update your doctor frequently on how the treatments work and suggest modifying them if needed.
- Contact your doctor when you experience a psoriasis flare.