It can be hard to identify the right psoriasis treatment or combination of psoriasis treatments. What works for one individual may not be effective for another.
Patients should keep working with their doctor to find the most suitable dermatology treatment plan that reduces or eliminates their symptoms.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, provides skin care treatments to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Biologics
Biologic drugs, or biologics, are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that has been unresponsive to other treatments. Biologics are administered by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion.
The biologics used in the treatment of psoriatic disease impede the action of a particular type of immune cell known as a T cell, or block proteins in the immune system, such as interleukin 17-A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or interleukins 12 and 23. These proteins and cells play a significant role in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Systemics
Systemic treatments refer to prescription medications that are taken orally or via injection and work throughout the body.
Systemics are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Systemic drugs are also prescribed to patients who are unresponsive or unable to take topical medications or UV light treatment.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy (light therapy) involves exposing skin to UV light under medical supervision on a routine basis. This treatment is administered in the doctor’s office, psoriasis clinic or at home with a phototherapy unit. Consistency is the key to success with light therapy.
UVB Phototherapy
Ultraviolet B (UVB) is present in natural sunlight and is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB goes into the skin and slows the growth of the affected skin cells. The therapy involves the exposure of skin to an artificial UVB light source for a specific duration on a regular basis.
New Oral Treatments
New oral treatments can improve psoriatic disease symptoms by inhibiting particular molecules associated with swelling.
These treatments can be effectively delivered as tablets taken orally, unlike biologics, which are derived from living sources and must be administered through infusion or injection.
New oral treatments include small molecule drugs that are taken orally. These new oral treatments selectively target molecules within immune cells, unlike pills previously used for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Adjusting the complicated processes of swelling within the cells allows these treatments to correct the hyperactive immune reaction that causes inflammation in individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which leads improvement in the scaliness, redness, joint tenderness, and inflammation.
Topicals
Topical treatments, which are applied to the skin, are usually the initial treatment recommended to a newly diagnosed individual. Topical meds can be procured over the counter or by prescription.
There are various effective topical treatments for psoriasis. Many can be purchased over the counter while others are available by prescription only.
Corticosteroids, or just “steroids,” are the most commonly used psoriasis treatment. They are called anti-inflammatory agents as they reduce the inflammation and redness of lesions. Synthetic vitamin D3, Anthralin, and vitamin A are also used in prescription topical treatments to manage psoriasis outbreaks.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Nguyen receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for advanced skin care solutions.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
