Current psoriasis treatments include topical medications, steroids, conventional phototherapy and phototherapy PUVA. However, these conventional approaches are not without drawbacks. Topical medications don't work for everyone. Moreover, following the rigorous programs of self-care is not easy. Steroids can cause thinning of the skin and stretch marks. It can also cause glaucoma, cataract besides other side effects.
Conventional phototherapy is costly and time-consuming. Sometimes more than 20 exposures are required for improvement. Moreover, phototherapy exposes healthy skin during treatment, placing it at risk of burning and pruritus. The treatment also carries many of the other risks of ultraviolet exposure, including premature ageing and a minimal risk of skin cancer.
Phototherapy PUVA (ultraviolet light A used with the drug Psoralen) can result in nausea, itching and redness as well as premature ageing and cataract. |
