Mild

We have many topical treatments (applied to skin surface) that have shown to be very effective with mild Psoriasis.

Moderate
What is UVB phototherapy?

Ultroviolet light B (UVB) phototherapy involves exposing the skin to a particular wavelength of ultraviolet light that is theraputic for psoriasis. Present in natural sunlight, UVB is the most biologically active wavelength of ultraviolet radiation and the one with the potential to cause sunburn. Phototherapy light boxes produce UVB artificially to suppress psoriasis.

UVB is administered under a physician’s direction in a medical setting. The UVB equipment used by physicians produces an intense theraputic effect. The UVB equipment designed for medical use is usually not the same equipment advertised for home use. Also, it is not the same equipment found in suntan parlors.

Who is eligible for UVB therapy?

UVB therapy can be used by adults and children. UVB will work for at least two-thirds of patients who meet these criteria:

• Thin plaques (decreased scale build up)
• Moderate to severe disease
• Responsiveness to natural sunlight.

UVB is considered when topical treatments are not effective. It may be used alone or in combination with topical treatments (corticosteroids, anthralin or coal tar) or systemic medications (oral retinoids or methotrexate).

UVB is a standard treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis. Moderate to severe psoriasis can involve anywhere from 2 percent to 100 percent of the skin (the palm of the hand is roughly equivalent to 1 percent).

UVB requires a significant time commitment. People get the best results when they keep sheduled appointments and follow treatment directions carefully. As with all treatment regimens, UVB requires time and devotion.

Pre-treatment
Post-treatment #3
Post-treatment #6
Post-Op 3 weeks

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Severe
What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a noncontagious, lifelong skin disease that affects more then 4.5 million adults in the United States. The most common form, plaque (pronounced plak) psoriasis, appears as raised, red lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale.

About 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic (sore-ee-AA-tic) arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. The hands, feet, wrists, ankles, knees and lower back are most often affected by this type of arthritis.

Three percent to 10 percent of the body affected by psoriasis is considered to be a moderate case. More than 10 percent is considered severe. The palm of the hand equals 1 percent of the skin. However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person’s quality of life. Psoriasis can have a serious impact even if it involves a small area, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

Systemic medications are prescription medications that affect the entire body, and are usually reserved for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who are not responsive to or eligible for conventional topical medications or ultraviolet (UV) light treatments.

BIOLOGICS
What are biologics?

Biologic medications are developed from living sources, such as cells, rather than combinations of chemicals like traditional drugs.

In January 2003, Amevive (also known by its generic name alefacept) became the first biologic medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatments of psoriasis. It is given by injection in a doctor’s office once per week for 12 weeks.

In October 2003, Raptiva (also known by its generic name efalizumab) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of psoriasis. Patients give themselves an injection under the skin once per week.

Enbrel (also known by its generic name etanercept) became the third FDA-approved biologic for the treatment of psoriasis in April 2004. Enbrel is also FDA-approved for treating psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Because of their recent use in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the long-term safety of biologics is not completely known.

METHOTREXATE
What is methotrexate?

Methotrexate is a systemic medication usually sold as a generic. Initially used to treat cancer, methotrexate was discovered to be effective in clearing psoriasis in the 1950s and was eventually approved for this use by the FDA in the 1970s.

How does methotrexate work?

Methotrexate binds to an enzyme involved in the rapid growth of cells. In people with psoriasis, the drug slows down the rate of the skin-cell growth.

Who is a candidate for methotrexate?

Methotrexate is often prescribed for severe plaque psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and acute pustular psoriasis. In addition, the drug can be used to treat psoriatic arthritis, a psoriatic-related condition similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate can be highly effective in reducing the painful symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and, in some cases, slows the progression of joint distruction.

The use of methotrexate is not recommended for people with the following medical conditions or histories:

• Prenancy-pregnant women, or women and their partners who are trying to conceive a child (conception should be avoided during methotrexate treatment and for at least 12 weeks afterward)
• Blood disorders
• Active peptic ulcers
• Severe anemia
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Active hepatitis
• Significant liver or kidney abnormalities
• Active infections disease
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Unreliability in taking medications correctly

How effective is methotrexate?

In most psoriasis patients, improvements can begin within four to six weeks of using methotrexate. More than 80 percent of patients see some improvement within two or three months of starting treatment with methotrexate.

SORIATANE
What is Soriatane?

Soriatane (also known by its generic name acitretin) is a prescription medication called an oral retinoid, which is a synthetic form of vitamin A. Synthetic retinoids were introduced as experimental drugs in the mid-1970s and were approved in the United States in the 1980s. Soriatane is currently the only oral retinoid approved by the FDA specifically for treating psoriasis.

How effective is Soriatane?

Soriatane can temporarily clear symptoms of psoriasis for a few weeks to a year or more. It tends to work slowly for plaque psoriasis. After eight to 16 weeks of treatment, the skin lesions usually will improve, but it may take up to six months for the drug to reach its peak effect.

Some information was provided by The Psoriasis Foundation. The Psoriasis Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic, the Psoriasis Foundation can help you get information, meet other people like you and learn how to control your psoriasis.

By making a donation, you become a Member of the Psoriasis Foundation. As a Member, you will be supporting education and public awareness, advocacy for better treatments and research to find a cure. We will keep you informed of how your donation is helping to make things better for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Your gift does make a difference! The Psoriasis Foundation is determined to win the fight against psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Become a Member today.

Call toll free 800.723.9166

Or join online:www.psoriasis.org/membership