Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsLight TherapyHome Remedies and LifestyleStress Management

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

OTC Therapies

Prescriptions

Light Therapy

Home Remedies and Lifestyle

Stress Management

Psoriasisis usually treated with a combination of self-care interventions, medications, and ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. While there is no cure forpsoriasis, it can be treated effectively although managing the inflamed, scaly skin patches that come with this condition can be tricky.

Psoriasis treatment requires an individualized approach based on thetype, location, and severity of psoriasis you have. Patience and persistence may be needed as you try over-the-counter (OTC) skin creams, prescription drugs, and other combinations of therapies that work best for you.

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Male rubbing moisturising lotion on psoriasis

Over-the-Counter Therapies

OTC medications may provide ample relief for mild psoriasis or be used in combination with prescription medications for more severe cases.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Side effects include burning or stinging at the application site, acne, changes in skin color, and a temporary increase in itching.

Numbing Creams

Antihistamines

Some, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), have a sedative effect, which may be useful if the itching is keeping you up at night.

Salicylic Acid Products

Salicylic acid is available in a variety of OTC products, including creams, shampoos, soaps, and lotions.

Salicylic acid can sometimes cause irritation and may lead to temporary hair loss in the area where it’s applied.

Coal Tar Products

Coal tarhas been used for more than a century to treat psoriasis and other skin conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that products containing 0.5% to 5% coal tar are safe and effective for treating psoriasis.

You can find coal tar in a variety of lotions, creams, bath solutions, and scalp treatments. Depending on the product, the coal tar is usually left on the skin for an hour or two and then rinsed off. Studies report treatment success in more than half of people treated with coal tar for 12 weeks.

Side effects of coal tar are minimal and may include skin irritation and redness. Coal tar has a pungent, resiny odor and can permanently stain fabrics if splashed or splattered.

Medicated Shampoo

Scalp psoriasis can be especially difficult to treat as hair can get in the way of topical medicines. Medicated shampoos (containing salicylic acid, tar, or both) are commonly used, either on their own or to support topical treatment.

To get the optimal benefit of a medicated shampoo, massage it into the scalp and let it sit for five to 10 minutes before gently combing the hair and rinsing. This can help loosen plaques without pain or bleeding.

Even though you can purchase OTC products on your own, you should avoid self-treating without ensuring that you have an accuratepsoriasis diagnosis. Psoriasis can mimic other diseases and vice versa, leading to the possibility of incorrectly treating a skin condition or missing symptoms of a more serious disease.

Topical prescription medications are considered the mainstay of moderate to severe psoriasis treatment. They may be used on their own or incorporated into combination therapies.

They are used when topical drugs are unable to control psoriasis on their own. Some suppress the entire immune system, while others target specific parts of the immune response.

Topical Corticosteroids

Topicalcorticosteroidscan help reduce inflammation, aid in the shedding of skin cells, and promote the renewal of healthy skin. They come in a variety of formulations and are chosen based on the severity and location of the lesions.

Options include:

Topical corticosteroids can cause side effects if not used as directed.

On the face, a steroid that’s too strong can cause acne,rosacea, andtelangiectasia(spider veins).Skin thinning, stretch marks, and skin lightening (hypopigmentation) are common when corticosteroids are overused.

Vitamin D Analogs

Dovonex (calcipotriene) is a commonly prescribed vitamin D analog that comes as a cream or scalp solution.Dovonex can be used continuously and can be combined with other treatments, including topical steroids and UV light therapy.

Calcineurin Inhibitors

Despite longstanding concerns, research has never confirmed that calcineurin inhibitors increase cancer risk. The evidence has not been found and their use is considered safe.

Topical Retinoids

Derived from vitamin A,topical retinoidscan help slow the growth of skin cells that contributes to dry, itchy skin patches in those with psoriasis.

Tazorac (tazarotene) is the topical retinoid approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. It works best when combined with other psoriasis medications. It can also make the skin more sensitive to UV light in order to achieve better results with UV light therapy.

It can be used on most parts of the body, including thenails, but it is known to cause skin irritation. As such, it should only be used on the face or genitals under the direction of a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in skin conditions.

Tazorac should not be used during pregnancy since it can harm a fetus.

Tazorac is available as a cream, gel, or foam. Common side effects include application-site itchiness, redness, and burning.Applying a thin layer of moisturizer beforehand may help minimize these symptoms.

Psoriatec (Anthralin)

Anthralin has been around since the early 1900s and was once the gold standard of psoriasis treatment. Anthralin is still sometimes used as an alternate option if other medications fail to provide relief.

Psoriatec, a timed-release anthralin cream, is an updated version that can slow the hyperproduction of skin cells without the hassle of messy application, staining, or skin irritation. It is applied directly to the skin and left for 30 minutes before being washed off with cool or lukewarm water.

Psoriatec may cause redness and burning but doesn’t damage the skin, even with long-term use. It is also less expensive than some of the newer psoriasis treatments.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonists

The cream is applied once daily and has been shown to be effective and safe for use on multiple body sites—including sensitive skin areas. Common side effects include itching, folliculitis, skin rash, and headache.

DMARDS

Methotrexate can cause side effects ranging from liver damage to bone marrow suppression, which causes reduced production of blood cells. Cyclosporine is known to causehigh blood pressure, liver damage, and kidney impairment. Periodic blood tests are needed to avoid treatment complications.

Biologics

Biologic drugsare medications derived from living cells cultured in a lab.

Rather than affecting the entire immune system, biologics block either the white blood cells that incite the inflammatory response (called sT-cells) or specific cytokines (such astumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 17-A, or interleukins 12 and 23).

Biologic drugs used for psoriasis include:

Immunosuppression, the reduced ability of your immune system to fight infections, is a common side effect. Due to this, testing for tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases is often required before starting treatment.

Other side effects include injection site pain, chills, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash.

Other biologics that are used to treat different types of psoriasis include Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors such as Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and Sotyktu (deucravacitinib). Both medications are taken orally, and some common side effects include upper respiratory infections, signs of a common cold, diarrhea, and acne.

Xeljanz and other JAK inhibitors have boxed warnings that they can increase the risk of serious heart-related events such as heart attack or stroke, cancer, infections, blood clots, and death.

Oral Retinoids

An oral retinoid such as Soriatane (acitretin) is sometimes prescribed for people with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Soriatane is particularly useful for people with nail psoriasis,pustular psoriasis(includes pus-filled blisters), anderythrodermicpsoriasis (a rare type that causes a widespread red rash).

Oral retinoids are also ideal for people with immunosuppression who aren’t candidates for methotrexate or biologics.

Unlike other oral medications, Soriatane can be taken with biologic drugs. However, it should not be used with any other retinoid product as this may lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Soriatane should never be used during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. Women in their reproductive years should use two forms of birth control while on Soriatane and take a monthly pregnancy test as well.

Nail PsoriasisThe same treatments that work for skin psoriasis also work for nail psoriasis. Severe cases may benefit from steroid injections into the nail bed or matrix (where the nail starts to grow). Nail removal may be needed to remove badly deformed nails so that new ones can grow.

Nail Psoriasis

The same treatments that work for skin psoriasis also work for nail psoriasis. Severe cases may benefit from steroid injections into the nail bed or matrix (where the nail starts to grow). Nail removal may be needed to remove badly deformed nails so that new ones can grow.

PDE4 Inhibitors

Otezla (apremilast) is an oral medication classified as a PDE4 inhibitor. It is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, as well as active psoriatic arthritis.

Specialist-Driven Procedures

Psoriasis is not treated surgically. However, the condition does respond to sunlight and can improve significantly when exposure is limited to about 10 minutes per day.

UV light therapy, also called phototherapy, uses the same principle. Controlled bursts of UV light can slow skin cell production and help achieve remission. Phototherapy is highly effective in treating psoriasis, either alone or in conjunction with topical or systemic drugs.

Phototherapy Types

Phototherapyhas immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects beneficial to people with psoriasis. It is especially useful when more than 30% of the body is affected and a case is moderate to severe.

The phototherapy systems deliver either stronger ultraviolet B (UVB) light or weaker ultraviolet A (UVA) light as follows:

Potential side effects include burning, itching, redness, and sunburn (particularly in fair-skinned people). The treatment also poses a slightly increased risk of skin cancer over an extended time.

Self-care strategies that aim to mitigate the dryness, itching, and flaking of skin plaques may help manage symptoms and flares in those with mild psoriasis. In more severe cases, home remedies for psoriasis can complement other treatments.

Skin Care

Establishing adaily bathingand moisturizing routine can help minimize scaling and relieve persistent itching.

Overheating the skin promotes inflammation and the risk of flares; over-soaking the skin increases skin dryness. So use water warm rather than hot. Also, limit showers to five minutes and baths to 15 minutes, and avoid vigorous scrubbing.

A washcloth is usually all you need to slough off loose scales. Daily shampooing is a good way to gently buff plaques from the scalp.

After showering or bathing, pat the skin dry and moisturize immediately with a fragrance-freeemollient-rich lotion, which is heavily moisturizing and offers a protective barrier for the skin.

To intensify the effects of a moisturizer, cover the moisturized skin with a non-absorbent wrap (such as cling wrap or plastic gloves) for several hours or even overnight.

Itch Relief

Pruritis(itchiness) is an especially irritating aspect of psoriasis. Itching can further inflame the skin. You can try using:

Injury Avoidance

Almost any kind of skin trauma can trigger a flare in people with psoriasis. Examples include:

Stress is a major trigger of psoriatic flares. According to a 2018 review of studies inDisease Markers,it’s estimated that anywhere from 40% to 80% of people with psoriasis cite stress as a contributing factor.

There are a number of stress-reduction techniques that may help if practiced on an ongoing basis and during acute flares. They include:

Guided imagery involves thinking about a calming scene to relieve stress. Other practices include progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), which involves tensing then relaxing muscles, and biofeedback, which uses sensors to help you learn about your stress responses.

Summary

Maintaining a gentle skincare routine, including daily bathing and moisturizing, can help manage mild psoriasis. Adding OTC medications can help during flares.

Moderate or severe psoriasis needs more and is typically treated with prescription medications and light therapy. If that’s still not enough, oral or injectable medications to suppress or target parts of the immune system may be added.

Response to treatments varies widely from person to person. You may need to try different options under the advice of your healthcare provider to see what works best in your case.

Psoriasis Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.

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33 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Butler DC, Berger T, Elmariah S, Kim B, Chisolm S, Kwatra SG,et al.Chronic Pruritus: A Review.JAMA. 2024 Jun 25;331(24):2114-2124. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.4899American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application.National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.Domagała A, Szepietowski J, Reich A.Antihistamines in the treatment of pruritus in psoriasis.pdia. 2017;5:457-463. doi:10.5114/ada.2017.71112U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Code of federal regulations title 21.Chandy RJ, Dao DD, Rivis CC, Shan DM, Feldman SR.Noncorticosteroid Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review.J Pharm Technol. 2023 Oct;39(5):247-255. doi: 10.1177/87551225231193057Massiot P, Pinto PC, Leclerc-Mercier S, Rasmont V, Piraccini BM, Rudnicka L,et al.Clinical benefit and tolerance profile of a keratolytic and hydrating shampoo in subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis. Results from a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jul;22(7):2050-2053. doi:10.1111/jocd.15693DermNet.Topical steroid.Drugs for plaque psoriasis.Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Sep 30;66(1712):153-160. doi:10.58347/tml.2024.1712aGhafoor R, Patil A, Yamauchi P, Weinberg J, Kircik L, Grabbe S,et al.Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Aug 1;21(8):833-837. doi:10.36849/JDD.6498Dattola A, Silvestri M, Bennardo L, et al.Update of calcineurin inhibitors to treat inverse psoriasis: A systematic review.Dermatologic Therapy. 2018;31(6):e12728. doi:10.1111/dth.12728Devasenapathy N, Chu A, Wong M, Srivastava A, Ceccacci R, Lin C,et al.Cancer risk with topical calcineurin inhibitors, pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023 Jan;7(1):13-25. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00283-8Dayal S, Kaura R, Sahu P, Jain VK.Tazarotene gel with narrow-band UVB phototherapy: A synergistic combination in psoriasis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(3):385-390. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20186723U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Tazorac.Dermavant Sciences.FDA approves Dermavant’s VTAMA® (tapinarof) cream, 1% for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults: First topical novel chemical entity launched for psoriasis in the U.S. in 25 years.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.VTAMA (tapinarof) cream.Ogdie A, Coates LC, Gladman DD.Treatment guidelines in psoriatic arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Mar 1;59(Suppl 1):i37-i46. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kez383National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and new biological therapies for psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11) doi:10.3390/ijms18112297National Psoriasis Foundation.Xeljanz.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane.Bardazzi F, Starace M, Bruni F, Magnano M, Piraccini B, Alessandrini A.Nail psoriasis: An updated review and expert opinion on available treatments, including biologics.Acta Derm Venerol.2019;99(6):516-23. doi:10.2340/00015555-3098Blauvelt A, Langley RG, Gordon KB, Silverberg JI, Eyerich K, Sommer MOA,et al.Next Generation PDE4 Inhibitors that Selectively Target PDE4B/D Subtypes: A Narrative Review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Dec;13(12):3031-3042. doi:10.1007/s13555-023-01054-3Elmets CA, Lim HW, Stoff B, et al.Joint American Academy of Dermatology–National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(3):775-804. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.04.042Zhang P, Wu MX.A clinical review of phototherapy for psoriasis.Lasers Med Sci.2018 Jan;33(1):173-180. doi:10.1007/s10103-017-2360-1Psoriasis: Learn More – Does Light Therapy (Phototherapy) Help Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2021.American Academy of Dermatology Association.8 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis.National Eczema Association.Managing itch.National Psoriasis Foundation.Herbs and natural remedies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?Tampa M, Sarbu MI, Mitran MI, Mitran CI, Matei C, Georgescu SR.The pathophysiological mechanisms and the quest for biomarkers in psoriasis, a stress-related skin disease.Disease Markers. 2018;2018:1-14. doi:10.1155/2018/5823684

33 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Butler DC, Berger T, Elmariah S, Kim B, Chisolm S, Kwatra SG,et al.Chronic Pruritus: A Review.JAMA. 2024 Jun 25;331(24):2114-2124. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.4899American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application.National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.Domagała A, Szepietowski J, Reich A.Antihistamines in the treatment of pruritus in psoriasis.pdia. 2017;5:457-463. doi:10.5114/ada.2017.71112U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Code of federal regulations title 21.Chandy RJ, Dao DD, Rivis CC, Shan DM, Feldman SR.Noncorticosteroid Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review.J Pharm Technol. 2023 Oct;39(5):247-255. doi: 10.1177/87551225231193057Massiot P, Pinto PC, Leclerc-Mercier S, Rasmont V, Piraccini BM, Rudnicka L,et al.Clinical benefit and tolerance profile of a keratolytic and hydrating shampoo in subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis. Results from a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jul;22(7):2050-2053. doi:10.1111/jocd.15693DermNet.Topical steroid.Drugs for plaque psoriasis.Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Sep 30;66(1712):153-160. doi:10.58347/tml.2024.1712aGhafoor R, Patil A, Yamauchi P, Weinberg J, Kircik L, Grabbe S,et al.Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Aug 1;21(8):833-837. doi:10.36849/JDD.6498Dattola A, Silvestri M, Bennardo L, et al.Update of calcineurin inhibitors to treat inverse psoriasis: A systematic review.Dermatologic Therapy. 2018;31(6):e12728. doi:10.1111/dth.12728Devasenapathy N, Chu A, Wong M, Srivastava A, Ceccacci R, Lin C,et al.Cancer risk with topical calcineurin inhibitors, pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023 Jan;7(1):13-25. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00283-8Dayal S, Kaura R, Sahu P, Jain VK.Tazarotene gel with narrow-band UVB phototherapy: A synergistic combination in psoriasis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(3):385-390. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20186723U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Tazorac.Dermavant Sciences.FDA approves Dermavant’s VTAMA® (tapinarof) cream, 1% for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults: First topical novel chemical entity launched for psoriasis in the U.S. in 25 years.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.VTAMA (tapinarof) cream.Ogdie A, Coates LC, Gladman DD.Treatment guidelines in psoriatic arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Mar 1;59(Suppl 1):i37-i46. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kez383National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and new biological therapies for psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11) doi:10.3390/ijms18112297National Psoriasis Foundation.Xeljanz.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane.Bardazzi F, Starace M, Bruni F, Magnano M, Piraccini B, Alessandrini A.Nail psoriasis: An updated review and expert opinion on available treatments, including biologics.Acta Derm Venerol.2019;99(6):516-23. doi:10.2340/00015555-3098Blauvelt A, Langley RG, Gordon KB, Silverberg JI, Eyerich K, Sommer MOA,et al.Next Generation PDE4 Inhibitors that Selectively Target PDE4B/D Subtypes: A Narrative Review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Dec;13(12):3031-3042. doi:10.1007/s13555-023-01054-3Elmets CA, Lim HW, Stoff B, et al.Joint American Academy of Dermatology–National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(3):775-804. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.04.042Zhang P, Wu MX.A clinical review of phototherapy for psoriasis.Lasers Med Sci.2018 Jan;33(1):173-180. doi:10.1007/s10103-017-2360-1Psoriasis: Learn More – Does Light Therapy (Phototherapy) Help Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2021.American Academy of Dermatology Association.8 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis.National Eczema Association.Managing itch.National Psoriasis Foundation.Herbs and natural remedies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?Tampa M, Sarbu MI, Mitran MI, Mitran CI, Matei C, Georgescu SR.The pathophysiological mechanisms and the quest for biomarkers in psoriasis, a stress-related skin disease.Disease Markers. 2018;2018:1-14. doi:10.1155/2018/5823684

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Butler DC, Berger T, Elmariah S, Kim B, Chisolm S, Kwatra SG,et al.Chronic Pruritus: A Review.JAMA. 2024 Jun 25;331(24):2114-2124. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.4899American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application.National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.Domagała A, Szepietowski J, Reich A.Antihistamines in the treatment of pruritus in psoriasis.pdia. 2017;5:457-463. doi:10.5114/ada.2017.71112U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Code of federal regulations title 21.Chandy RJ, Dao DD, Rivis CC, Shan DM, Feldman SR.Noncorticosteroid Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review.J Pharm Technol. 2023 Oct;39(5):247-255. doi: 10.1177/87551225231193057Massiot P, Pinto PC, Leclerc-Mercier S, Rasmont V, Piraccini BM, Rudnicka L,et al.Clinical benefit and tolerance profile of a keratolytic and hydrating shampoo in subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis. Results from a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jul;22(7):2050-2053. doi:10.1111/jocd.15693DermNet.Topical steroid.Drugs for plaque psoriasis.Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Sep 30;66(1712):153-160. doi:10.58347/tml.2024.1712aGhafoor R, Patil A, Yamauchi P, Weinberg J, Kircik L, Grabbe S,et al.Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Aug 1;21(8):833-837. doi:10.36849/JDD.6498Dattola A, Silvestri M, Bennardo L, et al.Update of calcineurin inhibitors to treat inverse psoriasis: A systematic review.Dermatologic Therapy. 2018;31(6):e12728. doi:10.1111/dth.12728Devasenapathy N, Chu A, Wong M, Srivastava A, Ceccacci R, Lin C,et al.Cancer risk with topical calcineurin inhibitors, pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023 Jan;7(1):13-25. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00283-8Dayal S, Kaura R, Sahu P, Jain VK.Tazarotene gel with narrow-band UVB phototherapy: A synergistic combination in psoriasis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(3):385-390. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20186723U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Tazorac.Dermavant Sciences.FDA approves Dermavant’s VTAMA® (tapinarof) cream, 1% for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults: First topical novel chemical entity launched for psoriasis in the U.S. in 25 years.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.VTAMA (tapinarof) cream.Ogdie A, Coates LC, Gladman DD.Treatment guidelines in psoriatic arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Mar 1;59(Suppl 1):i37-i46. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kez383National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and new biological therapies for psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11) doi:10.3390/ijms18112297National Psoriasis Foundation.Xeljanz.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane.Bardazzi F, Starace M, Bruni F, Magnano M, Piraccini B, Alessandrini A.Nail psoriasis: An updated review and expert opinion on available treatments, including biologics.Acta Derm Venerol.2019;99(6):516-23. doi:10.2340/00015555-3098Blauvelt A, Langley RG, Gordon KB, Silverberg JI, Eyerich K, Sommer MOA,et al.Next Generation PDE4 Inhibitors that Selectively Target PDE4B/D Subtypes: A Narrative Review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Dec;13(12):3031-3042. doi:10.1007/s13555-023-01054-3Elmets CA, Lim HW, Stoff B, et al.Joint American Academy of Dermatology–National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(3):775-804. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.04.042Zhang P, Wu MX.A clinical review of phototherapy for psoriasis.Lasers Med Sci.2018 Jan;33(1):173-180. doi:10.1007/s10103-017-2360-1Psoriasis: Learn More – Does Light Therapy (Phototherapy) Help Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2021.American Academy of Dermatology Association.8 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis.National Eczema Association.Managing itch.National Psoriasis Foundation.Herbs and natural remedies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?Tampa M, Sarbu MI, Mitran MI, Mitran CI, Matei C, Georgescu SR.The pathophysiological mechanisms and the quest for biomarkers in psoriasis, a stress-related skin disease.Disease Markers. 2018;2018:1-14. doi:10.1155/2018/5823684

American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?

Butler DC, Berger T, Elmariah S, Kim B, Chisolm S, Kwatra SG,et al.Chronic Pruritus: A Review.JAMA. 2024 Jun 25;331(24):2114-2124. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.4899

American Academy of Family Physicians.Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application.

National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.

Domagała A, Szepietowski J, Reich A.Antihistamines in the treatment of pruritus in psoriasis.pdia. 2017;5:457-463. doi:10.5114/ada.2017.71112

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Code of federal regulations title 21.

Chandy RJ, Dao DD, Rivis CC, Shan DM, Feldman SR.Noncorticosteroid Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review.J Pharm Technol. 2023 Oct;39(5):247-255. doi: 10.1177/87551225231193057

Massiot P, Pinto PC, Leclerc-Mercier S, Rasmont V, Piraccini BM, Rudnicka L,et al.Clinical benefit and tolerance profile of a keratolytic and hydrating shampoo in subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis. Results from a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jul;22(7):2050-2053. doi:10.1111/jocd.15693

DermNet.Topical steroid.

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Ghafoor R, Patil A, Yamauchi P, Weinberg J, Kircik L, Grabbe S,et al.Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Aug 1;21(8):833-837. doi:10.36849/JDD.6498

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