How to Stop Psoriasis Suffering
"The heartbreak of psoriasis," is a common expression, almost a cliche. About 7.5 million Americans suffer from the chronic skin condition and eagerly await news of a cure. All want to stop psoriasis suffering, not only from the disease itself but from the looks and misunderstanding of others. "Psoriasis is not contagious but understanding is," says a slogan promoting Walk for Psoriasis. Suffering varies widely, from a few unnoticeable flakes on the scalp to complete coverage combined with crippling psoriatic arthritis.
Things You'll Need
- Coal tar preparations
- Topical steroids
- Phototherapy treatment
- Methotrexate
- Stelara
- Enbrel
Instructions
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Treatments
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Admit there is a problem, that it is not a "bit of dry skin" or "dandruff." The exact causes of psoriasis are still unknown, says Dr. Richard Langley, dermatologist and author of "Psoriasis: Everything You Need to Know". Dr. Langley says faulty messages from the immune system to the skin are behind the red, scaly lesions. Psoriasis can start with an illness, a cut on the skin that does not heal, medication or a rise in stress levels. Examine what causes your psoriasis, how and when it flares up.
Consider self-treatment with medications sold over the counter. Coal tar preparations are available without prescription. Some, like Psoriasin, can be very effective initially, but symptoms will probably return in time, says Dr Langley. Try homeopathy (including herbal treatments), juice-fasting and diet changes, all of which are effective for some. (The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) warns against combining herbal remedies with medication.)
Eventually, if psoriasis persists, you will need to consult a professional, a physician or dermatologist who knows a wide range of prescribed treatments. -
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Consider self-treatment with medications sold over the counter (OTC). Coal tar preparations are available without prescription. Some, like Psoriasin, can be very effective initially, but symptoms will probably return in time, says Dr Langley. Try homeopathy, juice-fasting and changes in diet, all of which give relief for some.
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Start with topical steroids.This is the most common prescription treatment, according to the NPF. Apply a small amount on the affected area only. Do not use it for longer than three weeks without consulting your doctor, warns the NPF. Watch for side effects, such as thinning skin.
The next step is often phototherapy, using ultraviolet light on its own or with a drug boost like psoralen (PUVA). Take the oral dose two hours before the treatment. Shield your eyes completely during treatment and wear sunglasses for the next 24 hours, because psoralen makes them very sensitive. Watch for side effects, which can include nausea.
Discuss with your doctor using a systemic treatment, like methotrexate. This reduces rapid skin cell turnover, which is psoriasis. Consider sub-cutaneous injections of Stelara, which the FDA approved in September 2009, or Enbrel, approved two years earlier. -
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Accept that (as of November 2009) there is no permanent cure, that remission or control is the best you can hope for. Keep in touch with others, on such websites as the NPF message board. Contributors discuss their success or failure with various treatments and diets and talk frankly about their frustrations and psychological problems.This helps you feel less alone, which also helps to stop psoriasis suffering.
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Tips & Warnings
Over-the-counter medications often show great initial results. Be ready to change them when they lose effectiveness.
