MG217 Psoriasis Treatment from Triton Consumer Products

Treatments for Psoriasis (can be divided into three categories):

TOPICAL AGENTS
(medications rubbed onto the psoriasis lesions);
PHOTOTHERAPY
(ultraviolet light); and
INTERNAL MEDICATIONS
(pills and injections).
See figure 1.

The aim of treatment is to clear the skin of the psoriasis lesions for periods of time. This is called a "clearance" or "remission."

Occasionally, psoriasis will go into a spontaneous remission on its own without treatment. Sometimes a treatment that works to keep the psoriasis in check will stop working. The psoriasis simply becomes resistant and a new type of treatment has to be initiated.

There is a wide spectrum of psoriasis treatments available. Though all of the treatments for psoriasis are known to be effective for many patients, none of them are effective in all psoriasis patients. In other words, a patient's response to a treatment will vary from individual to individual. Consequently, it is useful for psoriasis patients to know the spectrum of therapeutic choices so that they do not become "stuck" in a particular treatment, especially if the treatment is not sufficiently effective.

Frequently, a physician will rotate a patient through various therapies to avoid or minimize long-term side effects from any one therapy.

Generally speaking, treatment choices for psoriasis involves a " 1-2-3" approach. STEP I (TOPICAL MEDICATIONS) is tried first. If step I treatment options are not effective, or are not appropriate because of the severity of the psoriasis, then STEP 2 (PHOTOTHERAPY) is recommended. STEP 3 (INTERNAL MEDICATIONS) is the last choice because these treatment options have more risk for internal side effects. However, there are instances where the treatment option may have to jump from step 1 to step 3, skipping step 2, if phototherapy is not available or not feasible due to logistical or medical reasons.

STEP 1 -
TOPICAL THERAPY

Topical Steroids
Coal tar
Anthralin
Moisturizers
Bath Solutions
Non prescription medications
Sunbathing

STEP 2 -

Ultraviolet Light B (UVB)
Day Treatment Program
PUVA
Combination Therapies

STEP 3 -

Methotrexate
Etretinate (Tegison)
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)
Sulfasalazine
Cyclosporin A

The following tips may minimize the risk of making psoriasis lesions worse: