Three Types Of Topical Treatments For Psoriasis

If you were recently diagnosed with psoriasis, your dermatologist may be talking to you about different treatment options. Some people benefit from taking oral corticosteroids to manage their psoriasis. But sometimes, this is not an option. The steroids may cause serious side effects, or you may not be able to take them due to another underlying health condition. In cases like this, a topical treatment is usually your better option. Here are three different types of topical treatments your dermatologist may recommend for psoriasis.

Vitamin D Analogues

Vitamin D analogues are topical medications that act like vitamin D. In fact, some of them are essentially synthetic versions of vitamin D. They work by slowing down the rate at which your skin cells replicate. Psoriasis occurs, in part, because your skin cells keep replicating faster than they should, leading to the formation of crusty, peeling patches. By slowing down the replication rate of cells, vitamin D analogues will reduce the formation of these patches. 

Usually, you will only need to apply these creams once a day.  Side effects are very rare, but not everyone responds to vitamin D creams. If you don't see results within a few weeks, let your dermatologist know. They'll recommend a different treatment.

Retinoids

Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They are often used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and also help manage acne. Some people get great results when using retinoids for psoriasis as they basically slow down the turnover rate of cells. However, they can cause some pretty marked dryness and redness when you first start using them. You'll need to persevere past this initial period of side effects to see the results. 

Retinoids work well for many psoriasis patients, but they are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Salicylic Acid

You may have heard of salicylic acid, as it is widely available in the form of over-the-counter acne creams and washes. It works by encouraging dead skin cells to slough off. Salicylic acid is often a good choice for those with milder psoriasis as it comes with a low risk of side effects and is quite affordable. Some people notice an improvement after just a few applications, and the results continue to improve with regular use. People are often advised to use salicylic acid twice a day.

If you cannot take oral steroids, a topical treatment may be the best way to manage your psoriasis. Talk to your dermatologist about these psoriasis skin treatment options.