My Experience Trying Different Psoriasis Treatments

Treatments for psoriasis are often about trial and error. You will start 1 treatment, find it does not work, and then move on to another. That might work for a little bit, then stop working, so you try another. The cycle goes on.

When thinking about treating my psoriasis, I take a multi-pronged approach. By this, I mean treatments from my healthcare team, over-the-counter options, and lifestyle changes.

Treatments from your healthcare team can be a game-changer. However, it can take time to find the right one. The trial and error cycle will very much come into play here.

Treatments from your healthcare team

The first thing I tried after speaking to my team was topical treatments, like corticosteroids. For me, these were effective at first. They helped reduce flaking and the redness of my patches. But it did not last long. Often, I found they would work at first and then stop working.

I also used to experience a terrible rebound effect from these. The treatment would stop working and make my psoriasis come back with a vengeance.

I then moved on to oral drugs, such as cyclosporine. I tried this for a period of time, but the side effects worried me. It also stopped working after 2 weeks. I have heard from others in the community how much this has helped them. It appears it works for some and not for others. It is worth a go if you feel comfortable with the risks.

My experience with phototherapy

After trying many physical drugs, my team recommended phototherapy. In some senses, this helped most up until now. For this treatment, I had regular trips to the hospital. I stood in a booth and let the light cover me. The time I stood in there gradually increased.

This treatment really helped. While doing it, my psoriasis completely disappeared. I even got a boost in my mood from the vitamin D. But, like most things I tried, the patches eventually came back. They were nastier and more pronounced than before.

The problem with phototherapy is that you cannot keep doing it. This is due to the risks of skin cancer and other side effects. It is vital to understand the benefits and risks before starting. A good healthcare team will ensure your safety.

Finding relief with biologics

So, what has helped since phototherapy? Nothing has helped clear my patches completely. Part of living with psoriasis is understanding that this condition will come and go in waves. It will be worse at some times than at others.

But biologic injections have been my savior. It is the only treatment I have used for a long time that keeps most of my patches away. I still have some redness and stubborn areas, mostly on my scalp. Still, the fact that most of my patches are gone makes it worth it. Again, check the risks and benefits with your team before committing.

Over-the-counter treatments

As well as team care, you should also try over-the-counter options. These include:

• Creams
• Moisturized lotions
• Ointments

These can be your baseline defense against flaking. They will help your psoriasis to an extent, but they may not clear it. I find using creams after a shower really helps to keep the plaque flakes away. They do not clear my patches, but they make things far more tolerable. Combined with treatment from my team, it is a winning situation.

Lifestyle changes

There is also something else important: lifestyle. By this, I mean managing stress, exercising, and eating as best you can. Stress is known to make psoriasis worse. I notice that when I am stressed, my patches feel far itchier.

Managing stress is key. Do not be afraid to seek help if your stress is bothersome. It can often be a vicious cycle. Stress about psoriasis feeds further breakouts, which makes stress increase, and then more patches appear.

Exercise and a good diet can also help. It does not need to be intense. I find walking really helps my skin. Trying to eat fruits, vegetables, and good foods also helps. I find alcohol makes my patches itchier and angrier, so I stay away from it.

Things may take time

Often people want treatments, lifestyle changes, and creams to help their patches instantly. But it may take time. Sometimes it takes many years to find what truly helps your skin. Do not give up if things do not help right away. Keep on the path and you will eventually find relief.