The patient can use phototherapy at home when they purchase a home therapy unit, usually under the prescription and supervision of a Dermatologist. Psoralen has the effect of enhancing the affect of the phototherapy. Psoralen can also be used as body paint or placed in a bath just before the phototherapy treatment. Here again, there can be long term side affects, such as aging of the skin, non-aggressive forms of skin cancer, pigmented areas, freckles, redness, itching, cataracts, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, hair loss, liver and kidney abnormalities. It can cause severe gingivitis that can result in tooth extractions, and at times can result in nausea.
Fetal malformation can be another result.
For severe psoriasis, the more potent types of drugs are used. Fusion Protein and Hydroxyurea are some of these drugs. These drugs can have very severe side effects and can have devastating effects on the liver and other body organs. Many of these drugs are used in a program of using one of the drugs for several months, then switching to another. This is known as Rotational Therapy.