Psoriasis  Teen information

Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis, but multiple treatments are very helpful at controlling it.

For disease that affects only the skin (localized disease), topical treatments may be prescribed:

• Mid-to-high-potency topical steroids for the body or scalp and low-strength topical steroids for the face and skin fold areas as needed. Stretch marks and thinning of the skin can result from overuse of topical steroids, particularly in skin fold areas.
• Vitamin D creams may be prescribed and are sometimes combined with topical steroids.
• Vitamin A-based creams may be prescribed, sometimes in combination with topical steroids.
• Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) may be prescribed.
• Tar-based therapies are sometimes used. These therapies may have a foul odor and cause irritation in some people.
• Anthralin creams may be prescribed, but these may stain skin and cause irritation.
• For the scalp, oils, gels, foams, or solutions, some of which include topical steroids, are used in combination with tar or salicylic acid shampoos.

For more extensive disease:

• If plaques are extensive, ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy) may be considered.
• Oral medications may be used for extensive psoriasis, including acitretin (made from Vitamin A), methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin A, and tacrolimus. These medications require close monitoring and may have potentially serious side effects.
• Newer medications that affect the immune system may be injected at home, and other injected (intravenous) medications given in a medical facility are also available. These medications include etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, alefacept, and felvizumab. These are very costly and may have serious side effects.