A non-contagious skin disease, resulting in flaky, itchy and swollen skin, Psoriasis is a very prevalent affliction. It can happen for various reasons. It can be hereditary, life-style based, or simply from something that makes the immune system over-active and therefore increases the growth of skin cells. Depending upon the severity and affected area, different types of psoriasis cures can be taken into consideration for relief. Apparently, there is no magic cure and one needs to consult their doctor and discover the psoriasis cure that works.

There are various cures that have been effective for different patients. The challenge however remains to find the cure that works best, that is, benefits fast and has minimal side effects. Some key psoriasis cures are Topical cure, Systemic cure, Phototherapy cure, and Sun/Water therapy.

Topical cures involve applying solution or cream to the affected area. If the severity of affected area is mild then one can buy over-the-counter ointments to treat the skin condition. The medicines come with steroids as well as components that reduce itching, scaling and inflammation. Coal tar, Salicylic acid, calcipotriene, and vitamin D3 are key ingredients in topical medicines. The famous prescribed psoriasis cure medicinesare Anthralin, Dovonex, Taclonex, Tazorac and Corticosteroids.

Systemic psoriasis cures are for patients showing moderate to severe psoriasis condition. Unlike general medicines, systemics are generated from living proteins and are not chemically made. This is a new area in psoriasis that has evoked considerable success and interest. However, the long term side-effects are not completely known. But it is known that these cures impact the whole body and not just the affected area. Recently, US FDA approved some systemic psoriasis cures like Amevive, Remicade, Enbrel, and couple others.

Psoriasis cures like phototherapy involve exposing skin to UV rays. This has to be done under medical supervision or at a place where you have the kit to do it. Phototherapy can treat chronic plaque lesions, clear psoriasis (when used along with psoralen) and also slows abnormal rapid growth of skin cells. UVB (Ultraviolet light B) treatment involves exposing broad-band or narrow-band UV light B to affected areas. Lasers are recommended for patients having less than 10% of their body covered by psoriasis. Side effects of these psoriasis cures include small risk of scarring. PUVA combines psoralen with UV light A and clear psoriasis for most of the patients.

Natural therapies like sun and water therapy can be really effective psoriasis cures. While water helps chronic lesions to soften up; sun therapy when consistently performed can clean up psoriasis. Balneotherapy involves thermal spring treatments, mineral water or seawater treatment is extensively promoted in European spa’s. Climatotherapy combines light and water for its treatment and refers specifically to few areas for treatment like the Dead Sea in Israel.

Psoriasis cures also involve simple therapies like diet control or following a special diet. Other ancient region-specific treatments have increasingly evoked interest in recent times. For example, Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Chinese medication have become immensely popular for their natural healing powers.

Psoriasis appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with dead skin cells on the skin. Scalp psoriasis can be mild, with fine scaling or thick with crusted plaques, covering the entire scalp. The areas of the skin grow very rapidly and form red, scaling patches. Patients experience severe itchiness, a feeling of tightness and soreness, accompanied by hair loss. Scalp psoriasis is a common form of psoriasis affecting over 50% of patients.

Treatments for scalp psoriasis are generally temporarily effective and continued over a long period. Moderate exposure of the scalp to sunlight and regular washing of the head helps reduce the spread of the condition. Certain shampoo treatments control the spread of psoriasis. Other treatments prescribed by doctors include coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, cortico-steroids and Vitamin D derivatives.

The correct method of application of the treatment is important. The hair is parted into sections and the medication is rubbed into the exposed area. It is necessary to comb and brush the hair regularly in order to remove scaling. Shampooing with a coal tar based shampoo followed by a cortisone lotion rubbed into the scalp is recommended. A frequent break in the regimen ensures that the psoriasis does not become resistant to treatment.

Topical medications like corticosteriods are effective against scalp psoriasis. They are available in solutions, gels, creams, lotions and ointments. A two-week cycle of treatment is commonly recommended for strong steroids.

In cases of mild scalp psoriasis, doctors inject the scalp lesions with steroid medications. The medication is absorbed into the system and is therefore sparingly used.

Systemic medications or prescription medications are administered to patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Biologic drugs that are made from living human or animal proteins block or eliminate various immune system cells involved in scalp psoriasis.

Since psoriasis is known to be a waxing and waning condition, it usually subsides with regular treatment. It is unusual for anyone to suffer extensive scalp psoriasis for a long time, especially if they seek medical help and use treatments as directed. Any medical regimen for psoriasis needs to be closely supervised by a dermatologist.

There are different treatments available to help control psoriasis. Treatment depends on the kind of psoriasis and no single treatment works for everyone.

Topical creams, ointments and powders, applied to the skin are the most common forms of treatment for psoriasis. They slow down or normalize excessive cell production and reduce inflammation. Anthralin, Dovonex, Salicyclic acid, corticosteriods and coal tar are common topical treatments.

Corticosteroids are often prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis. These steroids are anti-inflammatory agents and reduce the swelling and redness of lesions. Corticosteriods complement other psoriasis treatments that are used to treat chronic cases. Patients must use topical steroids properly to avoid unnecessary side effects. Some steroids are suitable for only short periods of time or may be applied only to certain areas of the skin.

When psoriasis is extensive then ultraviolet light treatment or phototherapy is used on patients. Phototherapy involves exposure of the skin to wavelengths of ultraviolet light under medical supervision. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is an effective form of ultraviolet radiation for treating psoriasis. It is present in natural sunlight and penetrates the skin. UVB slows the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis. Treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source over a set period of time.

Systemic medications or prescription medications are administered to patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Biologic drugs that are made from living human or animal proteins help block or eliminate various immune system cells that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Other systemic medications like cyclosporine, methotrexate, soriatane, Accutane and sulfasalazine are also used to treat chronic cases of psoriasis.

Popularity amongst patients of alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbal remedies and magnets have grown. 36 percent of adults in the United States use some form of alternative and complementary medicine to counter psoriasis.

Over the years, patients have tried different diet regimens. The turkey diet, low-protein diet and the rice diet are common among them. Response to treatment depends on individual habits and medical histories and therefore varies from patient to patient. Over a period of time, patients begin to respond to the right treatment.