Psoriasis Treatment Options

Topical medications are creams, ointments, foams, or lotions applied directly to affected skin. They are often the first choice for mild to moderate psoriasis and may be combined with other treatments when symptoms are more widespread.

Topical corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids help calm inflammation and can quickly reduce redness, itching, swelling, scaling, and plaque thickness. Your dermatologist will choose the safest strength and schedule for the area being treated.

Vitamin D-based medications

Vitamin D-based prescription treatments help slow the fast skin cell growth that causes plaques and scaling. They may be used alone or with a topical steroid, and they do not carry the same skin-thinning risk as long-term steroid use.

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids are vitamin A-based medications that help skin cells grow more normally and may reduce scaling, texture changes, and inflammation. They can cause dryness, irritation, or sun sensitivity, so they should be used as directed.

Moisturizers and supportive skin care

Moisturizers do not treat the immune cause of psoriasis, but they can make a big difference in daily comfort by reducing dryness, cracking, itching, and tightness between treatments.

Light therapy, also called phototherapy, uses carefully controlled ultraviolet light to slow overactive skin cell growth and reduce inflammation. It may be recommended when psoriasis covers larger areas or when creams and ointments have not provided enough relief.

Narrowband UVB therapy

Narrowband UVB therapy uses a specific type of ultraviolet light to target psoriasis plaques while limiting unnecessary exposure. It can be helpful for moderate or widespread psoriasis, but most patients need several sessions over a period of weeks.

Excimer laser treatment

Excimer laser treatment sends focused ultraviolet light directly to psoriasis plaques, making it useful for localized areas while sparing nearby healthy skin. Temporary redness, blistering, or mild discomfort can occur.

For moderate to severe psoriasis, oral medications may be recommended. These treatments work throughout the body to calm inflammation and reduce psoriasis activity.

Apremilast

Apremilast helps reduce inflammatory signals that can trigger psoriasis symptoms and may be an option for patients who prefer an oral tablet instead of injections. Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and weight loss.

Oral retinoids

Oral retinoids are vitamin A-based medications that help normalize skin cell growth from within the body and may be useful for certain forms of psoriasis. Possible side effects include dry skin and lips, increased cholesterol, and sun sensitivity.

Because oral retinoids can cause serious birth defects, they are not appropriate for patients who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Some oral medications help manage psoriasis by calming an overactive immune response. They can be effective for widespread or severe symptoms and may also help psoriatic arthritis, but they can increase infection risk or require lab monitoring.

Biologic medications are advanced treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis. They target specific parts of the immune system involved in psoriasis inflammation and are usually given as injections or intravenous infusions.

For many patients, biologics can provide significant skin clearance, especially when other treatments have not worked well enough. They may also improve associated joint symptoms.

Possible side effects include injection-site reactions, increased susceptibility to certain infections, the need for ongoing monitoring, and higher treatment costs compared with some traditional therapies.