Currently there is no cure for psoriasis. But many types of treatment are available, including products applied to the skin, phototherapy, and oral medicines, which can help control psoriasis. Most cases are mild and can be treated with skin products. In some cases, psoriasis can be hard to treat if it is severe and widespread. Most psoriasis returns, even mild forms.

The purpose of treatment is to slow the rapid growth of skin cells that causes psoriasis and to reduce inflammation. Treatment is based on the type of psoriasis you have, its location, its severity, and your age and overall health. It also depends on how much you are affected by the condition, either physically (because of factors such as joint pain) or emotionally (because of embarrassment or frustration from a skin rash that may cover a large or visible area of the body).

Medicines applied to the skin (topical treatments)

Treatment for mild psoriasis, characterized by a few isolated raised patches, begins with skin care, which includes keeping your skin moist. Basic treatment often involves combining treatments and products that you can get without a prescription, including:

• Creams, ointments, and lotions, to moisturize the skin.
• Shampoos, oils, and sprays, to treat psoriasis of the scalp.
• Some exposure to sunlight.

It is also important to avoid what can trigger a flare-up of psoriasis or make the condition worse. Stress, skin injury, infection, and use of alcohol can all contribute to symptom flare-ups. Streptococcal infections, which usually affect the upper respiratory tract, are associated with guttate psoriasis.

Effective treatment will improve your overall well-being and reduce your physical symptoms.

You may try prescription medicines if your psoriasis is not helped by products you can get without a prescription. Topical medicines for psoriasis treatment include:

• Vitamin D compounds, such as calcipotriene.
• Topical corticosteroids, such as betamethasone.
• Anthralin and tars.
• Retinoids, such as tazarotene.

A treatment called occlusion therapy may be effective for some people. This involves first applying skin products, such as moisturizers, medicated creams, or gels, then wrapping the skin with tape, fabric, or plastic. Occlusion helps keep the area moist and increases the effectiveness of medicated creams. Talk to your doctor before using occlusion therapy, to make sure that you do it safely.

Treatment using more than one topical medicine is often done. This can help prevent side effects from some of the stronger medicines. For example, you may use one medicine during the week but another on the weekend.

Creams, ointments, lotions, and other medicines spread on the skin work better for some people than for others. If one medicine does not clear up your psoriasis, your doctor will likely advise you to try another medicine or combination of treatments.

Phototherapy