Psoriasis Treatment

More than just an aggravating skin rash, psoriasis can have devastating consequences in its severest form and can be quite difficult to deal with even if it is mild. While the future holds exciting breakthroughs in medications used to treat psoriasis, those drugs are still awaiting FDA approval. This means that psoriasis patients have to treat their condition with the traditional treatments of the past for the time being.

Since psoriasis is caused by an immune response in the skin, medications such as topical steroids are commonly used to treat this skin disorder. Some of the weaker topical steroids like corticosteroids can be purchased over the counter, but for the most part steroid treatment has to be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

Psoriasis

Medicines and Treatments Commonly Used for Psoriasis

While steroid creams make up the bulk of psoriasis treatments, they are not the only medications available to psoriasis patients. Here is a quick overview of just some of the treatment options that might be right for you: - Phototherapy - For the past 80 years, patients have been successfully treating their psoriasis with ultraviolet rays and sunlight. One of the oldest forms of phototherapy involves ultraviolet B or UVB. A newer twist on this treatment is called narrow band UVB and is more effective although it is not known if it is as safe as the older method. Laser treatments are another form of phototherapy for psoriasis as well as a form of light treatment called PUVA. In this form of psoriasis treatment, the patient takes a pill and then is exposed to UVA. While this treatment option is very effective, it is also known to contribute to the development of skin cancers. - Methotrexate - Is an oral medication that was developed for use in chemotherapy. It is usually administered once a week and is quite effective. The downside of this medication is that it can build hepatic toxicity if it is not monitored closely. - Cyclosporin - This is a medication that has many side effects and is normally used only in severe cases or as a last resort after other treatment options have failed.

Since many of these medications have risks and side effects that can potentially cause a great deal of harm to the patient, it is not uncommon for doctors to revolve or rotate treatment options. This lessens the risk of developing side effects since the patient is not exposed to one treatment method for a long period of time. Some of the treatment options mentioned above will also actually contradict the side effects caused by other medications. So a cycle of medications, along with topical steroids, and phototherapy can be ideal for a good number of patients.

Newer medications will hopefully eliminate the need for rotating treatments by providing an effective treatment course without the fear of side effects if the medications are taken for a long period of time.

About the Author

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top Eczema Treatments compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D. is a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School. Dr. Crutchfield is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Crutchfield conducts active psoriasis research (he has a Master's Degree in Molecular Biology) and has recently received a United States Patent on one of his psoriasis treatment medications. Dr. Crutchfield lectures locally and nationally on the treatment of psoriasis. When other medical students, dermatology residents and physicians learn about psoriasis, they are often learning it from Dr. Crutchfield. Dr. Crutchfield also treats many physicians and nurses with psoriasis. When other Twin Cities' healthcare providers need psoriasis treatment, they often choose Dr. Crutchfield. We are happy to share that Dr. Crutchfield is recognized by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine as on of the Twin Cities' "Top Doctors". Now that you know a little bit about Dr. Crutchfield we invite you to take a look at our results. Below are pictures of just a few of the many happy patients we have treated at Crutchfield Dermatology. Psoriasis is an age-old problem. For centuries it has affected people in all walks of life and from all countries. It can be progressive, and may appear at any time during one's life. It is one of the most common of skin diseases, striking an estimated 3-5% of the world's population. Of those affected, 25% can develop an associated psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is not contagious, but it interferes with normal life and social relationships and causes many sufferers to isolate themselves from friends, family and fellow workers. Heredity may play a part in this disease. Stress, injury, infection, medication or trauma can trigger an initial episode or cause a flare-up.

At Crutchfield Dermatology we take a great deal of pride in our very effective psoriasis treatments. Dr. Crutchfield is a board certified dermatologist, graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School (1994) and a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota, who has extensive training in the treatment of psoriasis including topical medications, phototherapeutic measures (narrow band-UVB), and traditional systemic anti-psoriatic medications [methotrexate, cyclosporine (Neoral), Soriatane], and the new generation of biologic agents to treat psoriasis [Enbrel (etanercept), Amevive (alefacept), Raptiva (efalizumab) and Humira (adalimumab)].

At Crutchfield Dermatology, we also have the most active phototherapy center for the treatment of psoriasis in the state of Minnesota, employing both full body and hand & foot, narrow band-UVB National Biological Corporation units.

Dr. Crutchfield has also developed and patented several very effective topical medications for the exclusive treatment of psoriasis in his patients.

Dr. Crutchfield will carefully evaluate your condition and design a custom psoriasis treatment program that is just right for you.. Most of our patients are clear in less than 30 days of their first visit.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Crutchfield call 651.209.3600

Psoriasis Patient Testimonial

November 04, 2007

Dear Dr Charles E Crutchfield III:

Thank you for presenting Fred Finkelstein and his film "My Skin's on Fire" to Minnesota on Saturday October 6th. I heard many people say that they had learned so much form your program. As usual, you gave most generously of your time and information during the question and answer period. Our people are hungry for accurate information and help.

It is because of your help and co-operation that our Minnesota Psoriasis Support Group has flourished. We do have one of the largest groups in the country. We are very grateful for all that you have done from the very beginning of our meetings. You have helped to educate and inform us about the many successful ways of treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

I especially appreciated the help of Kerry from your staff to get a mailing out. She is a most delightful and helpful young woman.

We look forward to working with you in the future,

Gertrude Coad, Leader. Minnesota Psoriasis Support Group

Patient Testimonial

Dear Dr. Crutchfield and Staff,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you have given me in controlling my Psoriasis! My condition has been under control for the first time in my life since I came to Minnesota to see you, and to get your advice and help.

My Psoriasis had started 40 years before, and I had exhausted the roll of Dermatologists out here in California, while hearing the same old story from each of them time and again. Every doctor here told me it was “incurable” and then proceeded to give me the same tired old advice and treatments I had tried before and with no success. I finally settled for a lifetime of wearing long sleeves and long pants during the summer months in my attempts to cover my condition, unless I was with friends or family who accepted my appearance without question. It was always embarrassing however to be asked by strangers who spotted a patch of Psoriasis whether I had fallen down and hurt myself, so I usually lied to them and said yes.

My wife’s cousin had moved to Eagan from Hawaii years before, and part of his decision to do so was due to his own case of Psoriasis. In Hawaii one is almost forced to wear shorts and T-shirts and he too was tired of embarrassing questions. Eventually he was referred to your office for treatment, and the results were so incredible that he called me here in California and offered to fly me out to see you! My wife and I waited until we had free time and had made the decision to make the 4,000 mile round trip to Eagan in our car!

Thank God for that decision, and that long drive, because I had the privilege of spending time in your office and of benefiting from your effective advice and treatment. I was favorable impressed by the friendly and professional way I was treated the moment I walked through the door of your building, and two years later I am happy to report that my condition is still under control, and that I proudly wear my beloved short sleeved shirts and shorts here in the California sunshine! You listened to my questions with patience and caring and you gave answers were new and refreshing and that finally caused me to be optimistic about my condition. For the first time I walked away from an appointment with a Dermatologist with hope and a smile on my face, because after 40 years of searching I had finally found a doctor who didn’t listen to those who had given up long ago, and who went further than anyone else in his search for a cure for this terrible disease!

There is still no cure, but by following your advice and faithfully applying my medications I am 95% symptom free, and my life has been much happier because of it. I have given personal testimonies to others I spot with Psoriasis, and have referred them to your office for treatment, regardless of where they may live. I hope they took my advice to heart and found you.

This is the only way I know of thanking you. You have truly done your part to create a happier and better world. Thank you so very much and please keep up your search for a final cure. If anyone can find it----it is you!

Dennis W.