Creams and ointments
- emollients every day, to reduce scaling and itching
- vitamin D creams, such as calcipotriol, often combined with a steroid in one product
- steroid creams, of the right strength for the area
- coal tar products
- special shampoos and scalp treatments
Give creams 4 weeks before deciding if they work, and see your GP if they do not.
Phototherapy
A dermatologist may offer narrowband UVB light treatment, usually 2 or 3 times a week for several weeks.
Tablets
For more severe psoriasis:
- methotrexate, ciclosporin or acitretin
- apremilast or dimethyl fumarate
These need regular blood tests.
Biological medicines
If other treatments have not worked, you may be offered a biological medicine, such as adalimumab, secukinumab, guselkumab or risankizumab, usually as an injection every few weeks or months.
Psoriatic arthritis
If you have joint pain, you should be referred to a rheumatologist. Some treatments help both skin and joints.
Sources we used
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