What Is It?

Psoriasis is a skin condition which shows up as a rash with dry, silvery, scaling patches, and can flare up for no apparent reason. The affected areas often crack and are sometimes painful. Psoriasis is found mainly on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest and trunk, and can also affect the toenails and fingernails. It may begin in late childhood or young adulthood and usually continues throughout life.

What Causes It?

The cause of psoriasis is currently unknown, but may be linked to an autoimmune disorder. Hereditary may be a factor since many people have a family history of psoriasis. Other aggravating factors include trauma to the skin and emotional stress.

What Can Be Done?

Psoriasis can usually be controlled, but not cured. Topical steroids are the first lines of treatment to control inflammation. Combination therapies using topical steroids and Vitamin D or Vitamin A prescription creams provide more relief from the symptoms of psoriasis.

Tar is another topical medicine used to treat psoriasis. Tars are used in shampoos for scalp psoriasis and tar oil can be added to a bath for soaking the whole skin area. Tar preparations applied directly to the infected area at bedtime is most effective.

Various oral medications are available for severe psoriasis. These include methotrexate, acetretin, and cyclosporine.

Ultraviolet light therapy (UVB) has been shown to improve psoriasis. Occasionally UVA light may be used. It can be used alone or in conjunction with topical steroids or tar therapy.

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