A: Avoiding trauma to the skin — for example, scratching — can prevent the spread of psoriasis. But staying active on your current treatment regimen is probably your best bet for controlling psoriasis.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
We use a number of topical treatments to treat psoriasis, including topical steroids and vitamin D creams. We also use light therapy.
But when psoriasis is extensive enough, we may opt for systemic medications like methotrexate or cyclosporine.
More recently, we’ve used medications called biologics (which are synthetic but human-derived products) to treat psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis. They are either injected into the skin, through the veins, or taken orally and alter the inflammatory reaction that causes psoriasis.
Dermatologist Sarah Young, MD
It’s like a protective armor that keeps your skin healthy
Animal safety and bacterial infections are concerns
These conditions have a lot in common, but not everything
What you eat might help with psoriasis flares
An expert explains the difference between the two skin conditions
What’s the difference between these types of inflammatory arthritis?
A healthy diet can easily meet your body’s important demands for magnesium
A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat
Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable with these dietary changes