Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and prevent secondary infections.

Psoriasis that covers all or most of the body is an emergency that requires a hospital stay. You may receive painkillers, medicines to make you sleepy (sedatives), fluids through a needle in your vein, and antibiotics to fight any infection.

Mild cases of psoriasis are usually treated at home. Your doctor may recommend any of the following:

• Cortisone (anti-itch) cream
• Creams or ointments that contain coal tar or anthralin
• Creams to remove the scaling (usually salicylic acid or lactic acid)
• Dandruff shampoos (over-the-counter or prescription)
• Moisturizers
• Prescription medicines containing vitamin D or vitamin A (retinoids)

Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. Over-the-counter oatmeal bath products may be used. Or, you can mix one cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water.

If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Sunlight may help your symptoms go away. Be careful not to get sunburned. Some people may choose to have phototherapy. Phototherapy is a medical procedure in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light. Phototherapy may be given alone or after you take a drug that makes the skin sensitive to light.

Persons with very severe psoriasis may receive medicines to suppress the body's immune response. These medicines include methotrexate or cyclosporine. (Persons who have psoriatic arthritis may also receive these drugs.)

Newer drugs called biologics specifically target the body's immune response, which is thought to play a role in psoriasis. These drugs are used when other treatments do not work. Biologics approved for the treatment of psoriasis include:

• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Alefacept (Amevive)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Infliximab (Remicade)

Support Groups:

See: Psoriasis support group

Expectations (prognosis):

Psoriasis is a life-long condition that can be controlled with treatment. It may go away for a long time and then return. With appropriate treatment, it usually does not affect your general physical health.

Complications:

• Pain
• Severe itching
• Secondary skin infections
• Side effects from medicines used to treat psoriasis

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of psoriasis or if the skin irritation continues despite treatment.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have joint pain or fever with your psoriasis attacks.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a severe outbreak that covers all or most of the body.