Psoriasis during pregnancy, this type of treatment is safe and effective

Those of you who are pregnant but have psoriasis, must be wondering whether this inflammatory skin disease will affect pregnancy and the health of the little one in the womb? Check out the full explanation below.

What is the impact of psoriasis during pregnancy on mother and fetus?

Nearly 60 percent of pregnant women will experience improvement in psoriasis symptoms during the nine months of pregnancy. This is thought to be due to an increase in the hormone progesterone which triggers psoriasis symptoms.

Psoriasis will not prevent you from getting pregnant or having a healthy baby. Inflammatory skin disease will not cause you a miscarriage or birth defects, as has been proven by one study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The study, which involved 1,463 women, found no evidence that psoriasis during pregnancy would not make mothers give birth to babies with lower birth weight than those without psoriasis. Psoriasis during pregnancy also will not increase the risk of certain diseases in the mother.

How is psoriasis treated and treated during pregnancy?

Never try to buy drugs that are sold freely, either at pharmacies or through online stores. Consult your condition first with your doctor so that you get the right treatment. Doctors will recommend psoriasis drugs that are safe to use during pregnancy based on the type and severity.

Whichever doctor recommends, psoriasis treatment basically aims to inhibit the growth of skin cells, reduce symptoms, and improve the texture of the affected skin.

Then, what are the options for psoriasis medication for pregnant women?

Various types of psoriasis treatment during pregnancy are recommended by doctors

In general, topicals and oral medications will be prescribed by doctors to relieve psoriasis symptoms. However, for pregnant women, psoriasis treatments that are commonly used and considered safe are topical drugs or topical drugs and light therapy (phototherapy).

1. Emollients as moisturizers and skin protectors

Emollients are medicines to soften and moisturize the skin. These medications, which are usually ointments or creams, work by reducing inflammation and the speed at which skin cells are produced.

Emollients are used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis. The use of this topical medication can also be combined with shampoo to treat psoriasis on the scalp. What are the topical drugs that are commonly used?

Corticosteroids

This drug works by reducing skin inflammation. Excessive use can result in thinning of the skin. Therefore, corticosteroids should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Especially for sensitive parts such as the face or skin folds, the doctor will give a lower dose of topical corticosteroid.

Calcineurin Inhibitor

This drug is thought to inhibit the performance of the immune system, thereby reducing skin inflammation. Types of calcineurin inhibitors (calcineurin inhibitors) that are commonly used are tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. However, calcineurin inhibitors are not recommended for long-term use because they have the potential to increase the risk of skin cancer and lymphoma.

Vitamin D analogues

Calcipotriol and calcitriol are the 2 types of vitamin D analogues that are usually used. These creams can be used together or in place of topical corticosteroids. Its function is to inhibit skin regeneration and reduce inflammation.

Dithranol

Dithranol is generally used for short-term treatment of rashes caused by psoriasis on the feet, hands, and upper body. Use of this drug must be careful (not too thick or high in concentration) because the skin can burn.

2. Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

Light therapy has been chosen as an alternative to some types of psoriasis that topical medicines cannot treat. The phototherapy process is generally handled by a skin specialist and uses ultraviolet A and B rays.

The duration of each session of ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy takes a few minutes and is undertaken by the patient several times a week. Its function is to reduce the speed of production of skin cells. Another type of photo therapy is ultraviolet A (UVA) light therapy, known as the combination therapy of psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA). UVA rays can penetrate the skin deeper than UVB.

At each session, psoralen will be applied to the skin or taken in tablet form so that the patient's skin will be more sensitive to light. Patients will also usually be asked to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking psoralen to prevent cataracts. However, this therapy is not recommended for the long term because it has a risk of skin cancer.

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