Suggest treatment for psoriasis
Patient: My wife has Psoriasis for the last 12 years... She has not taken any medication in the last 30 months as it's under complete control. Now she has a light flare up on her body (thighs, arms). what medication can be taken to heal that light spots? (she doesn't have any pain). Thank You Doctor: Hi..As you said your wife suffers from psoriasis.Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing and autoimmune disease. She may be having scaly plaques on various parts of the body,scaly lesions on the scalp. Exact cause is not known. Genetic tendency, autoimmunitity,stress,dry wheather...etc may be responsible for precipitation and exacerbation of the disease.You consult dermatologist for firm diagnosis and treatment.I usually recommend cap acitretin 10 mg twice a day along with methotraxate 15 mg weekly in three devided doses 12 hourly. This may be taken for long time till good response. Blood tests may be done to monitor the treatment. She may apply mild steroid cream or calcipotriol oint on the lesions. She may apply moisturiser to improve the skin texture. Tell her to avoid soap bath for few weeks..She should avoid stress and worries as that might worsen psoriasis. Your wife might get good result.I hope you got my answer.Thanks.Dr. Ilyas Patel MD