It can be challenging to identify the right psoriasis treatment or combination of psoriasis treatments. The effectiveness of a specific treatment may differ between patients.
Therefore, patients should keep working with their doctor to find the most appropriate plan to reduce or eliminate their psoriasis symptoms.
Suncoast Skin Solutions, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Ewanowski, provides cutting-edge skin care treatments to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and surrounding communities.
Biologics
Biologic medicines, or biologics, are often used in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that has been unresponsive to other treatment. These drugs are administered by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion.
The biologics used in the treatment of psoriatic disease obstruct 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, alpha (TNF-alpha), or interleukins 12 and 23.
These proteins and cells all play a vital role in the development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Systemics
Systemic treatments in medical dermatology include prescription medications that are delivered by injection or taken orally and work throughout the body.
Systemics are usually prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Systemic drugs work throughout the body.
Systemic drugs are also used to treat people who are unresponsive or unable to take topical drugs or UV light therapy.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy or light therapy involves the exposure of the skin to UV light on a routine basis under medical supervision. Phototherapy is delivered in a psoriasis clinic, doctor’s office, or at home with a phototherapy unit. Consistency is vital for success with phototherapy.
UVB Phototherapy
Ultraviolet B (UVB) is present in natural sunlight and is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB goes into the skin and delays the growth of impacted skin cells. The treatment involves the exposure of the skin to an artificial source of UVB light for a specified duration on a regular schedule.
New Oral Treatments
New oral treatments improve psoriasis symptoms by restricting certain molecules that are associated with inflammation.
Biologics are derived from living sources and have to be delivered by infusion or injection. In comparison, new oral drugs can easily be taken by mouth.
New oral treatment refers to small molecule drugs that are taken by mouth. These new oral treatments target selective molecules within immune cells, unlike earlier medicines used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The adjustment in the complex process of inflammation within the cells enables these treatments to rectify the overactive immune reaction that leads to inflammation in individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This, in turn, leads to an improvement in symptoms such as scaliness, redness, swelling, and joint tenderness.
Topicals
Topical treatments are applied to the skin and are usually the first line of treatment recommended to a newly diagnosed individual. Topicals can be bought OTC or by prescription.
There are various effective topical treatments for psoriasis. Many can be bought OTC, but some may be available by prescription only.
Corticosteroids (steroids) are the most commonly used psoriasis treatment. They are known as anti-inflammatory agents due to their ability to reduce the inflammation and redness of lesions. Synthetic vitamin D3, vitamin A, and anthralin are also used in prescription topical treatments to manage psoriasis lesions.
Dr. Ewanowski’s dermatology practice and medical spa receives patients from Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Central Florida, Florida, and nearby areas for safe and proven skin care procedures.
SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Petersburg / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz (2 locations), Winter Haven, Largo, Riverview, Brooksville, Ocala, Largo at Bardmoor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, and Palm Harbor, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.
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