Psoriasis, a common chronic skin disease, brings many troubles to patients’ lives. Fortunately, there are many treatments that can help improve symptoms and even bring the disease under control. This article will introduce the treatment methods of psoriasis in detail, including lifestyle adjustments, drug therapy, and other possible treatments.
Lifestyle Adjustments
1. Keep your skin clean and moisturized
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People with psoriasis should bathe daily using mild soap and water and make sure their skin is fully dried after bathing and then apply a moisturizer, which can help reduce scaling and relieve itching.
2. Avoid irritating substances
Avoid contact with substances that may cause skin allergies or irritation, such as chemicals, soaps, hair dyes, etc. Try to wear loose and soft clothing to avoid friction with the skin.
3. Manage stress
Studies have shown that stress may aggravate psoriasis symptoms. Learning to manage stress is very important for controlling the disease. You can try deep breathing, yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques to reduce stress.
4. Eat Healthy
Maintain a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and reduce the intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods. Some studies have shown that increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for psoriasis.
Drug treatment
1. Local treatment drugs
(1) Corticosteroid ointments: These drugs can reduce inflammation and itching and promote skin cell renewal, but long-term use may cause skin thinning and other side effects.
(2) Vitamin D analogues: This type of drug can slow down the growth of skin cells and reduce the formation of scales.
(3) Coal tar preparations: These drugs have anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects and can relieve symptoms, but they may cause skin staining and affect appearance.
2. Systemic therapeutic drugs
(1) Oral immunosuppressants: such as cyclosporine A and methotrexate, which can inhibit the response of the immune system, reduce inflammation and excessive proliferation of skin cells, but these drugs may increase the risk of infection and other side effects.
(2) Biological agents: such as TNF-α antagonists, IL-17 antagonists, etc., can act on specific immune signaling molecules to reduce inflammation and symptoms, but these drugs usually need to be used under the supervision of a doctor and may cause serious side effects.
Other treatments
1. Phototherapy: Ultraviolet therapy (UVB) and narrow-band ultraviolet therapy (NB-UVB) can slow the growth of skin cells and reduce the formation of scales, but phototherapy may increase the risk of skin cancer and should be performed under the advice of a doctor.
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that psoriasis is caused by damp-heat toxic evils invading the skin. Therefore, it is treated with traditional Chinese medicine that clears heat, detoxifies, removes dampness and relieves itching. The effect of traditional Chinese medicine treatment varies from individual to individual, and it needs to be carried out under the guidance of a professional Chinese medicine practitioner.
The treatment of psoriasis requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the patient’s age, severity of the disease, and lifestyle. When choosing a treatment method, you should communicate fully with your doctor and develop an appropriate treatment plan based on your personal situation. Maintaining a positive attitude and good living habits is also very important for controlling the disease.
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