Psoriasis

There’s not a definite cure for the disease. But it can be taken under control with a suitable treatment and a long-term welfare can be ensured. Physician, patient and patient relatives must be in cooperation in the treatment. Medications and behaviors (itching, washclothing, bath gloving etc.) that may exacerbate the disease must be avoided. Local treatments (medicines that remove dandrufss on the skin surface, cortisone creams, anthralin, calcipotriol [synthetic vitamin D], calcineurin inhibitors) are chosen primarily in psoriasis with limited involvement. These methods can be used in combination. Cyclosporin-A, acitretin (synthetic vitamin A) and phototherapy are used in stubborn, widespread disease. If there’s no response to these, biological agents (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, ustekinumab etc.) may be preferred. Numerous factors are in effect while choosing and during the therapy (prevalence, localization of the disease, nail and joint involvement etc.). For the success of treatment, patients’ compliance to the treatment of choice is as important as dermatologists’ knowledge and experience on the disease.