BEST psoriasis doctors and specialists

- Topical steroids: Topical steroid creams, gels, and ointments are among the most commonly prescribed medications for psoriasis. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and the location of your rash, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medication (such as Cortizone) or a prescription-strength medication (such as Acetonide or Temovate).

- Topical retinoids: Tazarotene (Fabior, Tazorac, and Avage) is prescribed as an ointment, gel, or foam for the treatment of psoriasis and acne. This vitamin A derivative should be applied once or twice daily to slow skin cell overgrowth and prevent skin inflammation.

- Salicylic Acid: Medicated shampoos, body washes, and soaps containing salicylic acid are widely available as an over-the-counter treatment. These products help reduce the scaling, itchy skin caused by psoriasis.

- Vitamin D ointments: Calcipotriene and calcitriol are synthetic forms of vitamin D, and are prescribed to prevent skin cell overgrowth. These drugs slow cell growth without damaging skin cells.

- Anthralin: Anthralin is a man-made tar that is used to slow skin cell growth. Usually prescribed as a topical cream or shampoo, anthralin can also help clear away scaly skin and smooth skin. Anthralin can irritate the skin, so it is usually applied to the affected skin and then washed off after a prescribed period of time. Follow your doctor’s directions when using anthralin to avoid adverse effects or staining.

Light therapy involves exposing affected skin to a concentrated dose of natural or UV light. Types of light therapy used in the treatment of psoriasis include:

- Sunlight (Heliotherapy): Your doctor may recommend daily exposure to sunlight to slow skin cell production and reduce skin inflammation.

- UV Light: Controlled doses of UV narrowband light are administered several times a week to improve affected skin. Narrowband UV light may cause redness and burns to the skin. Talk to your doctor about whether or not UV light therapy is right for you.

- Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA): This therapy involves a combination of the light-sensitizing medication psoralen with a specialized UV light to aggressively treat psoriasis. PUVA therapy is generally reserved for severe cases of psoriasis, as it can cause adverse side effects like an increased risk of skin cancer.

- Methotrexate: Methotrexate (Trexall) may be prescribed to treat severe cases of psoriasis. This medication slows skin cell production and reduces inflammation. If you are prescribed methotrexate as a treatment for psoriasis, your doctor will monitor your blood count and liver function with lab tests and biopsies as it has been shown to cause liver disease.

- Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant drug, is administered as an oral pill for severe cases of psoriasis. This medication suppresses the immune system, preventing psoriasis outbreaks. It can also lead to an increased risk of infection and illness as it is blocking your body’s natural defense system.