- Topical Remedies
- 1. Corticoids
- 2. Calcipotriol
- 3. Moisturizers and emollients
- Systemic action remedies
- 1. Acitretin
- 2. Methotrexate
- 3. Cyclosporine
- 4. Biological agents
Psoriasis is a chronic and incurable disease, however, it is possible to relieve symptoms and prolong remission of the disease for long periods of time with appropriate treatment.
Treatment for psoriasis depends on the type, location and extent of the lesions, and can be done with creams or ointments with corticosteroids and retinoids or oral medications, such as cyclosporine, methotrexate or acitretin, for example, on the recommendation of the doctor.
In addition to the pharmacological treatment, it is also important to moisturize the skin daily, especially the affected regions, as well as avoiding very abrasive products that cause skin irritation and excessive dryness.
Some of the remedies that are usually prescribed by the doctor for the treatment of psoriasis are:
Topical Remedies
1. Corticoids
Topical corticosteroids are effective in treating symptoms, especially when the disease is limited to a small region, and can be associated with calcipotriol and systemic drugs.
Some examples of topical corticosteroids used in the treatment of psoriasis are clobetasol cream or 0.05% capillary solution and dexamethasone cream 0.1%, for example.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components, with skin lesions caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria, people with rosacea or uncontrolled perioral dermatitis.
Possible side effects: itching, pain and burning on the skin.
2. Calcipotriol
Calcipotriol is an analog of vitamin D, which at a concentration of 0.005% is indicated for the treatment of psoriasis, since it contributes to the reduction of the formation of psoriatic plaques. In most cases, calcipotriol is used in combination with a corticoid.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components and hyperkalaemia.
Possible side effects: skin irritation, rash, tingling, keratosis, itching, erythema and contact dermatitis.
3. Moisturizers and emollients
Emollient creams and ointments should be used daily, especially as a maintenance treatment after the use of corticosteroids, which helps to prevent recurrences in people with mild psoriasis.
These creams and ointments must contain urea in concentrations that can vary between 5% to 20% and / or salicylic acid in concentrations between 3% and 6%, according to the type of skin and the amount of scales.
Systemic action remedies
1. Acitretin
Acitretin is a retinoid generally indicated to treat severe forms of psoriasis when it is necessary to avoid immunosuppression and is available in doses of 10 mg or 25 mg.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components, pregnant women and women who wish to become pregnant in the coming years, lactating women and people with severe liver or kidney failure.
Possible side effects: headache, dryness and inflammation of the mucous membranes, dry mouth, thirst, thrush, gastrointestinal disorders, cheilitis, itching, hair loss, flaking throughout the body, muscle pain, increased blood cholesterol and triglycerides and generalized edema.
2. Methotrexate
Methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis, as it decreases the proliferation and inflammation of skin cells. This remedy is available in 2.5 mg tablets or 50 mg / 2mL ampoules.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components, pregnant and lactating women, people with cirrhosis, ethyl disease, active hepatitis, liver failure, serious infections, immunodeficiency syndromes, aplasia or spinal hypoplasia, thrombocytopenia or relevant anemia and acute gastric ulcer.
Possible side effects: severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, fever, redness of the skin, increased uric acid, reduction in the number of sperm in men, thrush, inflammation of the tongue and gums, diarrhea, reduced blood cell count whites and platelets, kidney failure and pharyngitis.
3. Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive medication indicated to treat moderate to severe psoriasis, and should not exceed 2 years of treatment.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components, severe hypertension, unstable and uncontrollable with drugs, active infections and cancer.
Possible side effects: kidney disorders, hypertension and weakened immune system.
4. Biological agents
In recent years, interest in developing biological agents with immunosuppressive properties that are more selective than cyclosporine has increased, with the aim of improving the safety profile of medications for psoriasis.
Some examples of recently developed biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis are:
- Adalimumab; Etanercept; Infliximab; Ustecinumab; Secucinumab.
This new class of drugs consists of proteins or monoclonal antibodies produced by organisms, through the use of recombinant biotechnology, which have shown an improvement in lesions and a reduction in their extent.
Who should not use: people with hypersensitivity to the components, with heart failure, demyelinating disease, recent history of cancer, active infection, use of live attenuated and pregnant vaccines.
Possible side effects: reactions at the injection site, infections, tuberculosis, skin reactions, neoplasms, demyelinating diseases, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, itching, muscle pain and tiredness.
