Hello everyone! I would like to go more into the different therapies of Psoriasis because we discussed as a group that there could be a lot of options.
UVB for psoriasis
UV therapy is one of the first line therapies available for chronic plaque psoriasis, if available. The type of light that is used to treat psoriasis is UVB phototherapy. There are different types of UVB therapy, narrow-band, broad-band, and laser UVB. Narrow-band phototherapy is the most common light therapy and limits wavelengths used. Broad-band UVB therapy is the oldest form of light therapy and has a wider wavelength. Excimer Laser UVB lastly is for targeting smaller areas. Healthcare professionals use this type of therapy when the psoriasis is affecting less than 5 percent of the body. Some benefits to narrow-band UVB is that the light release a smaller range, making it able to clear psoriasis faster and give longer remissions. This treatment might also be quicker than the other types of UVB treatments. It is estimated that about 75% of people using UVB therapy will develop clear skin.
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/phototherapy#uvb
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323593#types-of-light-therapy
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the skin, leading to the rapid growth and shedding of skin cells. This condition results from an overactive immune system where T-cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells, triggering inflammation and accelerating the skin cell turnover cycle. Under normal conditions, skin cells take about 28–30 days to grow, mature, and shed, but in psoriasis, this process is sped up to just 3–4 days. As a result, skin cells build up on the surface, forming thick, scaly patches that are characteristic of the disease. Psoriasis can appear at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in early adulthood, with a higher incidence in individuals with a family history of the condition. The severity of psoriasis varies, ranging from small, localized patches to widespread involvement of the skin. Psoriasis can also affect joints, leading to psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
There are several different types of psoriasis, each with unique characteristics. The most common form is plaque psoriasis, which accounts for around 80% of cases. It is characterized by raised, red patches covered with silvery scales, commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Guttate psoriasis often presents after a streptococcal throat infection and is marked by small, drop-shaped lesions on the torso and limbs. Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds, such as under the arms or in the groin, where lesions are smooth, red, and shiny, often without scales. Pustular psoriasis involves the formation of white pustules surrounded by red skin and can be localized or widespread. The rarest form, erythrodermic psoriasis, leads to widespread redness and shedding of the skin, and can be life-threatening, as it may cause severe fluid loss, infection, and temperature regulation problems.
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic markers, particularly those related to immune system function, increase the risk of developing psoriasis. Environmental triggers such as infections, physical injury to the skin, stress, smoking, and alcohol use can all contribute to the onset or exacerbation of the disease. Moreover, psoriasis is associated with other comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and metabolic syndrome, making management more complex.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, various treatment options are available to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Topical treatments are the first line of defense for mild to moderate psoriasis and include corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and itching, and vitamin D analogs like calcipotriene, which slow skin cell turnover. Topical retinoids, coal tar, and calcineurin inhibitors may also be used to manage symptoms. For more severe cases, systemic treatments may be required. These include oral medications like methotrexate, acitretin, and cyclosporine, which suppress the immune system and reduce skin cell production. Biologic therapies are newer treatments that target specific immune molecules, such as TNF-alpha inhibitors or interleukin inhibitors, and are often prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis that does not respond to topical or oral therapies.
Additionally, lifestyle modifications can help manage psoriasis. Patients are advised to avoid triggers such as infections and stress, maintain a regular moisturizing routine to prevent skin dryness, and consider phototherapy, which involves controlled exposure to ultraviolet light to slow skin cell turnover. Psoriasis can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, affecting physical appearance, emotional well-being, and social interactions. Therefore, effective management, including a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes, is essential for improving the quality of life of individuals living with psoriasis. While there is no cure, advancements in treatment have provided patients with more options to control symptoms and live healthier lives.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6866-psoriasis
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriasis