Plaque psoriasis is a condition that affects more than 7 million people in the United States.  It the most common form of the skin condition called psoriasis. Medical experts don’t know the exact causes of plaque psoriasis, but believe it is an autoimmune disease, in which the body mistakes healthy cells for an infectious invader. Heredity, stress and certain medications appear to play a part in its onset. Plaque psoriasis causes new cells to grow abnormally fast, leading to thickened, raised areas of skin on areas of the body or silvery scales called “plaques.” The condition usually affects both sides of the body, and it can be an unsightly, uncomfortable problem. A number of treatments are available to reduce outbreaks of plaque psoriasis. Three of the most popular plaque psoriasis treatments include steroid-based topical treatments, phototherapy, and oral medications. Read on to find out how these treatments help patients manage symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

Steroid based creams are normally used for sensitive areas like skin folds and small patches on the face. These creams are normally prescribed for severe outbreaks that cover large areas of the body. Steroid compounds improve plaque psoriasis symptoms by reducing inflammation of tissues. Salicylic acid, another topical medication helps to slough off the dead skin cells and scaling. Vitamin D analogues, synthetic forms of vitamin D, slow the excessive skin growth that is characteristic of the disease. Anthralin removes dead skin cells to give skin a smoother appearance. Topical retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, decrease skin inflammation but can make users more sensitive to the sun. Calcineurin inhibitors reduce plaque buildup and inflammation, but can only be used for a short time. Coal tar, derived from coal, is an older skin preparation, but it can effectively reduce itching and scaling. Moisturizer creams are also used to soothe itchy skin and dryness. Long term use or overuse of strong steroid based creams can cause the skin to thin out. Always be sure to follow the doctor's orders when using any steroid based skin product. 

Light therapy is often used to help relieve the discomfort of psoriasis and reduce plaque eruptions on the skin. Carefully controlled UV-A, UV-B, or laser light focused on specific areas of the body can help improve plaque psoriasis. These types of light work by stimulating the skin to act more naturally and helps to speed up the healing process. Phototherapy must be used regularly to achieve the desired improvement. Exposure to these types of light rejuvenates the skin and can improve blood flow to the area. Increased circulation brings much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the area that strengthen the skin and make it more resistant to infection. Both UVA and UVB offer the same type of light as regular sunlight. It's been proven that spending time outside in sunlight can also help to reduce the severity of psoriasis outbreaks. When the skin improves, phototherapy is stopped, but can be resumed if the rash reappears.

Medications are also available that work throughout the body to control plaque psoriasis. Oral medications work on a systemic leve to treat symptoms, while others are used to alter the way the cells function. They can relieve pain, inflammation, and the itching that is so characteristic of the disorder. There are several oral medications that work similar to the steroids included in topical creams. By hindering the production of new skin cells, they can slow down the progression of the condition, reducing many of the more irritating symptoms. These drugs include medications such as cyclosporine, methotrexate and acetretin. In addition, biologic medications, which are protein compounds derived from laboratory-cultured cells, can also be effective in reducing plaque psoriasis symptoms. Biologics can be used to prevent infections and help the skin to heal. These compounds include interleukin, T-cell inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors. Biologic drugs are administered through IV into veins or through injections.