Psoriasis treatment: oral medication to injection therapy

Psoriasis is an incurable recurring skin disease. However, psoriasis symptoms can be relieved by the use of drugs. Most psoriasis medications work to relieve itching, inflammation, and redness. What are the psoriasis treatment options?

Various medications to treat psoriasis

The condition of psoriasis that is experienced by each person is certainly different. Therefore, the treatment given must also be tailored to the type of disease, the severity, and the area of ​​the skin that is affected.

Usually, the dermatologist will start with a milder medication such as topical creams that are applied to the skin. If it turns out that psoriasis doesn't get better, doctors will switch to stronger drugs.

Topical psoriasis medication

Topical or topical medications are the first-line treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms. Medicines that are applied to the skin can be creams, ointments, lotions, or gels. For people with scalp psoriasis, there are also a number of special shampoos that can treat the symptoms.

1. Topical corticosteroids

Corticosteroid creams and ointments are a type of topical medication commonly used to relieve psoriasis symptoms. This topical medication is made from natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

These drugs help treat psoriasis symptoms by controlling the inflammatory response in the body that affects the skin, reducing the swelling and redness caused by plaque, and smoothing the texture of the skin affected by psoriasis.

There are several mild corticosteroids that can be used without a doctor's prescription. However, corticosteroid creams should not be used carelessly.

This cream is also not recommended for repeated use in the long term because it will actually cause dangerous side effects. For this reason, the doctor will provide a dose with the right usage rules.

2. Topical retinoids

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that slows down the activity of abnormal skin cell growth. This drug will make the skin cell regeneration process return to a normal rate so that it does not cause thickening of the skin surface.

As a result, the skin cell regeneration process will return to a normal rate so that it does not cause thickening of the skin surface. Retinol also slows down the inflammatory process. However, retinol does not work as fast as topical corticosteroids.

Treatment of psoriasis with topical retinoids has fewer side effects. However, women who are or planning to become pregnant are prohibited from using retinoids because they can increase the risk of birth defects.

One of the retinoid drugs that are often used for psoriasis is tazarotene.

3. Vitamin D analogues

Vitamin D analogues are drugs made from synthetic vitamin D that can help slow down the growth of skin cells. Your doctor can prescribe this medication alone or in combination with other medications to treat mild to moderate psoriasis.

Some of the drugs that contain this content are calcipotriene and calcitriol.

4. Dithranol

Dithranol or anthralin is a drug that has been used to treat psoriasis for more than 50 years. This drug can suppress the production of skin cells and relieve other symptoms.

This drug is usually used as a short-term treatment in a hospital and in combination with phototherapy.

5. Cream or ointment coal tar

Coal tar aka coal tar is heavy textured thick coal oil. Its content in drugs is believed to work to reduce itching and inflammation of the skin.

This psoriasis medication can leave stains on clothes and have an unpleasant odor. Therefore, you have to be careful when applying it to the skin. When the womb coal tar- high, the drug must be used according to a doctor's prescription.

6. Salicylic acid cream

Salicylic acid cream is keratolytic, which means it has an exfoliating agent. Commonly used to shed dead skin cells, in the treatment of psoriasis this cream works to remove silvery skin scales and helps soften the skin.

Although they tend to be safe, creams that contain strong salicylic acid can also cause irritation if left on the skin too long. Before choosing this drug, be sure to consult your doctor again.

7. Scalp psoriasis shampoo

Overcoming scalp psoriasis requires the help of a shampoo with a special medicinal content. Psoriasis-specific shampoos usually contain salicylic acid, coal tar , or steroids, and it could be a combination of these drugs. Special shampoos for treating psoriasis can only be purchased by redeeming a doctor's prescription

Use the same method as regular shampoo. Apply it on the scalp and massage shampoo on the problem areas. Then, let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it so that the ingredients in the shampoo can absorb into the scalp.

8. Moisturizer

Not functioning as the main drug, the use of a moisturizer is also very important for psoriasis patients. Moisturizers can reduce symptoms of redness and itching and help the skin heal.

Keep in mind, not all moisturizers are safe to use on skin with psoriasis. Before choosing a moisturizer, you must know how severe the skin condition is, the type of psoriasis you are experiencing, and the ingredients in the moisturizer itself.

Some of the ingredients in moisturizers that are safe for psoriasis patients are retinoids, vitamin D, coal tar, and salicylic acid.

Treatment of psoriasis through systemic therapy (oral and injectable drugs)

If the skin inflammation is getting worse or does not respond to topical treatments, systemic administration of drugs is also needed. Systemic treatment means giving drugs through the bloodstream so that the medicinal substances circulate throughout the body.

Systemic drug administration can be done by mouth (oral medication) or injection (by injection). Here are a few options.

1. Methotrexate

Methotrexate reduces skin cell production and suppresses immune responses. Doctors usually prescribe this medication for moderate to severe cases of psoriasis.

This drug is one of the most effective treatments for people with erythrodermic psoriasis or pustular psoriasis. Now, the drug methotrexate has also begun to be given to treat psoriatic arthritis.

However, these drugs also have side effects including loss of appetite, feeling tired, and upset stomach. In fact, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, long-term use can cause liver damage and a decrease in red and white blood cells and platelets.

Women who are or may become pregnant are prohibited from using methotrexate because of the risk of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Men who are currently or have recently used this drug should also avoid conception.

2. Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is a very effective drug to suppress the immune system. Doctors usually only prescribe this drug for severe cases of psoriasis because it can weaken the immune system.

This medication is only prescribed for a duration of about three to six months. Because, this drug can pose a risk in the form of high blood pressure. It is also for this reason that patients should have routine blood pressure tests while using the drug cyclosporine.

3. Oral retinoids

Oral retinoids can treat moderate to severe psoriasis by reducing the production of skin cells. This medication may be used in conjunction with light therapy procedures.

Oral retinoids have considerable side effects. Your doctor can order regular blood tests to check for cholesterol. The only oral retinoid approved according to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of psoriasis is acitretin (Soriatane).

4. Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea can be used with phototherapy, but is not as effective as cyclosporine and methotrexate. Possible side effects include anemia and decreased white blood cells and platelets.

Women who are or planning to become pregnant are prohibited from using hydroxyurea because of the risk of birth defects and miscarriage.

5. Immunomodulator

Immunomodulators are a new class of drugs that target the body's immune response. These medicines are given by injection or IV (infusion). Doctors usually prescribe these medicines for moderate to severe cases that don't respond to traditional therapy.

Some of the ones that are used for the treatment of psoriasis include the following.

• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Alefacept (Amevive)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Golimumab (Simponi)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Ustekinumab (Stelara)
• Thioguanine

Most systemic treatments have serious side effects. Therefore, doctors limit its use to more severe cases.

Therapy as a psoriasis treatment

Source: Beat Psoriasis

Sometimes, systemic treatment is also combined with therapeutic treatment such as phototherapy. In addition, there are also several other therapies that can treat psoriasis.

1. Photorotherapy

Phototherapy is a therapeutic procedure using artificial ultraviolet light exposure to the skin affected by psoriasis. The various types are as follows.

• UVB Phototherapy: therapy uses artificial UVB rays and can be used to treat mild psoriasis. The UVB emitting box will be directed at the area of ​​the body that is experiencing problems. This method can cause side effects in the form of dry skin and redness.
• PUVA: PUVA or psoralen ultraviolet A is used in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Patients must first apply or take psoralen, then put in a UVA light box to undergo therapy.
• Goeckerman therapy: psoriasis treatment therapy in the form of a combination of UVB light treatment with coal tar (coal tar). The purpose of using coal tar is to make the skin respond better to UVB rays.

2. Pulse dye laser

If other treatments don't work, your doctor may recommend that you go for it pulsed dye laser. This laser will destroy the tiny blood vessels in the psoriasis-affected areas of the skin to reduce cell growth using a solvent-mixed organic dye.

3. Acupuncture

In addition to the therapies that have been mentioned, acupuncture therapy with needle media is also said to be an alternative treatment for treating psoriasis symptoms.

Acupuncture itself has long been a means of treatment for various diseases. This therapy is believed to trigger painkilling agents in the body and increase blood flow by stimulating nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.

This is certainly useful for reducing pain and aching symptoms, especially if you also have psoriatic arthritis.

In addition, acupuncture can also be a stress reliever that often attacks psoriasis sufferers. However, you should consult your doctor first before undergoing this therapy.

Vitamins and supplements as a treatment for psoriasis

Taking vitamins and supplements can help the psoriasis treatment process. Some of the vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin C.

Vitamin A is found in many psoriasis medication creams and works to slow cell growth. You can also take vitamin A supplements, which do not have as many side effects as the cream. However, it should be according to doctor's instructions.

Vitamin D is known to contribute well in reducing inflammation in the body. This vitamin can help remove or prevent psoriasis plaques. You can get it from the sun by sunbathing for a few minutes, as well as from various foods and drinks such as milk and tuna.

Vitamin C contains antioxidants that play a role in preventing the damage associated with oxidative stress, which is good for helping psoriasis treatment. You can get their intake from citrus fruits, berries, and green vegetables.

Apart from vitamins, Omega-3s are said to help treat psoriasis. Omega-3s derived from fatty acids play an important role in inhibiting cell inflammation experienced by patients.

The use of omega-3s to reduce psoriasis symptoms was proven in a study published in 2014. Researchers conducted 15 trials, 12 of which showed improvement in symptoms from high doses of omega-3s. Some of the symptoms that are relieved are red, crusty, and itchy skin.

Because the body cannot produce omega-3s on its own, intake is obtained from consuming supplements and several foods such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, and eggs.

How to treat psoriasis through medical drugs is still the main solution. However, you also have to keep making lifestyle changes and fulfillment of nutrition for the skin to help its recovery. If you still have questions, discuss them with your doctor.