The initial treatment for mild psoriasis may be as simple as moisturizing creams and lotions. A doctor may also prescribe topical medications to apply to the skin containing cortisone-like compounds, synthetic vitamin D, tar or anthralin. These may be used in combination with natural sunlight or ultraviolet light. The most severe forms of the disease may require oral medications with or without light treatment. Dr. Lebwohl believes the new treatments are very promising.
New formulations offer the medication in both cream and solution form.
This topical treatment is an effective mainstay of psoriasis medications. Tazarotene is the first topical retinoid developed specifically for psoriasis. Once-daily therapy can be effective as early as one week into treatment. Many psoriasis treatments can be dangerous for women of child-bearing potential because of the prolonged possibility of birth defects. While an improvement over Etretinate, a currently available medication which is not to be administered to women planning future pregnancies, the FDA still recommends that women stop taking Acitretin, then wait three years before conceiving.