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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Chronic Psoriasis Curable Completely?

Hi,

I've scalp psoriasis since last 7-8 months and I've tried all varieties of shampoo, cream all possible things but nothing worked. Now I'm getting treated under homeopathy and some ayurvedic medicine and I'm yet to see any result. Do you have cure for the same I'm scared it should not affect other area of my body. It's causing lot of stress. Please advise if it's curable and how many months will it take to cure psoriasis in complete.
Tue, 11 Nov 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

Psoriasis is a chronic disease. Till recently there have been no treatment which cures it permanently; it can recur after seemingly complete cure.

However, there is a lot of research going on and it may be possible that in the near future, we have a permanent cure for psoriasis. Nonetheless, treatments are plenty and well established so as to manage all grades of psoriasis.
I am not sure you should be trying homeopathic or ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis. I would rather suggest that you visit a dermatologist for a proper assessment, appropriate treatment and follow up at regular intervals.

It is important to know about the triggering factors/exacerbation factors and avoid them as far as possible.
Various triggering factors are :stress, alcoholism, sore throat, topical irritants like coal tar, pregnancy, certain drugs like NSAIDs, Antihypertensives (B-blockers) etc.

Treatment of psoriasis is guided by the extent of involvement. It may remain limited to a few patches Or may extend to involve vast areas of the body. Limited disease is best managed with just topical applications (creams, ointments, gels, lotions, shampoos); whereas extensive disease (involving >20% body surface area) is usually managed with systemic treatments in addition to topical applications.

Psoriasis is steroid responsive; the disease gets better with topical steroids, however, it may recur; sometimes as soon as you stop steroids.
One has to be very careful in using steroids because though steroids are effective in psoriasis, one cannot use them forever because steroids can lead to side effects like skin atrophy if used over long term; moreover, steroids if stopped suddenly can lead to a rebound flare, which may be of increased intensity as compared to previous episodes.
Therefore while steroids are good for providing initial rapid improvement, they should be substituted with alternatives like Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriol, calcitriol once the initial rapid response is attained.
Vitamin D analogues are devoid of the side effects of steroids and can also be used safely over long term; moreover rebound flare is not an issue with vitamin D analogues.
Scalp involvement requires a coal tar+salicylic acid based shampoo, which can be used thrice weekly.

Extensive disease on other hand requires systemic treatment in addition to topical. Methotrexate, Cyclosporin, phototherapy, Biologic response modifiers etc are the treatment options for systemic use.
You may ask more about these treatment options from your treating dermatologist.

Psoriasis, as I said before is a recurrent condition, therefore I would suggest that you follow up regularly with your treating dermatologist. Your dermatologist can modify your treatment depending on the response.

Regards
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Is Chronic Psoriasis Curable Completely?

Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic Psoriasis is a chronic disease. Till recently there have been no treatment which cures it permanently; it can recur after seemingly complete cure. However, there is a lot of research going on and it may be possible that in the near future, we have a permanent cure for psoriasis. Nonetheless, treatments are plenty and well established so as to manage all grades of psoriasis. I am not sure you should be trying homeopathic or ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis. I would rather suggest that you visit a dermatologist for a proper assessment, appropriate treatment and follow up at regular intervals. It is important to know about the triggering factors/exacerbation factors and avoid them as far as possible. Various triggering factors are :stress, alcoholism, sore throat, topical irritants like coal tar, pregnancy, certain drugs like NSAIDs, Antihypertensives (B-blockers) etc. Treatment of psoriasis is guided by the extent of involvement. It may remain limited to a few patches Or may extend to involve vast areas of the body. Limited disease is best managed with just topical applications (creams, ointments, gels, lotions, shampoos); whereas extensive disease (involving 20% body surface area) is usually managed with systemic treatments in addition to topical applications. Psoriasis is steroid responsive; the disease gets better with topical steroids, however, it may recur; sometimes as soon as you stop steroids. One has to be very careful in using steroids because though steroids are effective in psoriasis, one cannot use them forever because steroids can lead to side effects like skin atrophy if used over long term; moreover, steroids if stopped suddenly can lead to a rebound flare, which may be of increased intensity as compared to previous episodes. Therefore while steroids are good for providing initial rapid improvement, they should be substituted with alternatives like Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriol, calcitriol once the initial rapid response is attained. Vitamin D analogues are devoid of the side effects of steroids and can also be used safely over long term; moreover rebound flare is not an issue with vitamin D analogues. Scalp involvement requires a coal tar+salicylic acid based shampoo, which can be used thrice weekly. Extensive disease on other hand requires systemic treatment in addition to topical. Methotrexate, Cyclosporin, phototherapy, Biologic response modifiers etc are the treatment options for systemic use. You may ask more about these treatment options from your treating dermatologist. Psoriasis, as I said before is a recurrent condition, therefore I would suggest that you follow up regularly with your treating dermatologist. Your dermatologist can modify your treatment depending on the response. Regards