How Can I Decide Which Treatment Is Best For Me?

Work with your doctor and start with the mildest treatment—one that’s easy to adhere to and that you will follow religiously. Keep adjusting the treatment until you see positive results.

Treatment of psoriasis is always individualized for a particular person. Partnership with a dermatologist, a family practitioner, or other healing individual can help to develop a plan for long-term therapy.

Many people find that a physician experienced in treating psoriasis is especially helpful. Therapy that works well for one person might not be effective for another, and fine-tuning or changing medication is often required.

The initial choice of medication will depend on psoriasis severity, its location, and the preferences of a particular patient. For mild, moderate, and some severe disease, topical treatments are usually tried first and are generally effective. Certain situations, such as the presence of arthritis, psoriasis on the hands and feet, drug allergies, pregnancy, or medications taken for other conditions, will influence the initial choice of therapy.

Almost all therapies require consistent use in order to be effective, and most take a continuous 6- to 8-week trial to find out whether they are working. When using any medication, it is important to use it consistently and continuously so that it becomes clear whether a particular medication is effective.

Some physicians utilize specialized treatment strategies by rotating, combining, or sequencing different therapies for an individual. Over time, individuals can identify which therapies or combinations are most effective for their skin and most convenient for their lifestyles.