Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic and reoccurring skin disease that produces red, scaly, well defined patches affecting any part of the skin on your body. We developed this Guide to help you learn about the many types of psoriasis, its causes and symptoms.

About Psoriasis - The Basics

Psoriasis - What is It?
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-contagious, reoccurring skin condition consisting of red, scaly, well defined, thickened areas of varying sizes. Any part of your skin on the body and on your nails can be affected.

Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis can occur just on the scalp, or more commonly as part of a widespread condition...

Psoriasis Types
Psoriasis can appear in a variety of forms: Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis...

What May Resemble Psoriasis?
Pityriasis rosea, Tinea corporis, Lichen planus, Secondary syphilis, Mycosis fungoides, Hand and foot dermatitis...

What Should Be Avoided
The following is a list of aggravating factors to avoid if you have psoriasis...

Psoriasis and Skin Care

Mild Skin Cleansers
Different gentle skin cleansers are available for your skin. There are several types of mild cleansers that you may use...

Skin Cleansers For Different Skin Types
Oily skin - the selection of cleansers for oily skin should involve using products that rinse off well. Both bar soaps and liquid cleansers have been formulated for this purpose...

Sunscreens
There appears to be some confusion about the messages people are getting about sunscreens and why they’re so important. Some use sunscreens to prevent sunburn, whereas others...

Skin Moisturizers
There are a small percentage of people who actually have dry skin on their face, these people will be dry on the cheeks and jawline. Many of these patients work outside in rough elements...

Psoriasis Medical Treatments

Quality of Life in Psoriasis
Psoriasis can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life - sometimes profoundly altering their everyday life...

OTC Treatment
Moisturizers help control scaling and dryness and may improve associated itching. They should be applied immediately after bathing and at other times during the day...

Topical Treatment
Topical psoriasis treatment includes corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcipotriene, tazarotene, tars, and anthralin. Tars and anthralin are discussed...

Oral Treatment
Methotrexate, Acitretin (Soriatane), Cyclosporine (Neoral)...

Immunobiologics

Immunobiological Treatment in Psoriasis - An Overview
Learn about the new Immunobiological Treatments available for Psoriasis. This is an overview of the recent research into the immune response.

Biologic Drugs and How They Work
A description of what biologic drugs are, how they work, and what the different drug names mean.

Alefacept (Amevive) IM administration
All about the drug Alefacept: clinical trials, duration of response, dosing, side effects, candidates for use, and drug interactions.

Efalizumab (Raptiva)
All about the drug Efalizumab, including clinical trial data, dosing, and safety.

Etanercept (Enbrel)
All about the drug Etanercept, including dosage, side effects and drug interactions.

Inflixiamab (Remicade)
All about the drug Infliximab: including dosage, indications, and side effects.

Light Therapy
Light therapy (phototherapy) is given under the supervision of a physician. It is available in dermatologists’ offices, psoriasis day-care centers, phototherapy clinics, and some hospitals...

Combination Therapy
It has been widely accepted that combining acitretin with photo therapy either UVB or PUVA is beneficial. PUVA is being used less because of the risk of skin cancers. This has meant that UVB is the most convenient...

Treatment Of Scalp Psoriasis
Topical therapy includes corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcipotriene, tazarotene, tars and anthralin. Tars and anthralin are discussed above. Lotions, solutions and gels are generally used, since they are easier to apply, do not give a greasy appearance to the hair and are easier to wash out...

Treatment Suggestions For Different Psoriasis Types
Psoriasis treatment choices will be influenced by the amount and location of the psoriasis...