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Treatment Overview

A number of psoriasis treatment options are available to help manage its symptoms.

The percentage of skin that is covered by psoriasis is one factor that determines how your doctor will treat it. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the palm of a hand equals 1% of the skin. While there are no universally accepted definitions of psoriasis disease severity, the following is the National Psoriasis Foundation’s categorization based on percentage of skin coverage.

Mild psoriasis,

classified as less than 3 percent of skin surface coverage, may be treated with:

  • Over-the-counter topicals (creams, lotions, and sprays applied directly to the skin)
  • Prescription topicals (non-steroidal and steroidal)

Moderate or severe psoriasis,

classified as 3 or more percent of skin surface coverage, may be treated with:

  • Phototherapy (ultraviolet light)
  • Systemic therapy (methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin)
  • Biologics (newest type of treatment)

No one treatment works for everyone, so it’s important to discuss options with your doctor to determine the most appropriate therapy for you. For more information and to find a physician in your area, click here. [1]

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It is intended for residents from the U.S.

Last Updated: Sep 03 2012

Links:
[1] http://www.psoriasis.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=436