Topical Treatment for Psoriasis

Depending on your type of psoriasis, you may have been prescribed a variety of creams, ointments, gels, and lotions. They each have different active ingredients that can help you improve your skin.

For milder forms of psoriasis, these topical therapies will often be the sole therapy. For moderate to severe forms, they will be used alongside systemic therapies.

Emollients/moisturizers

Soothe dry skin and help to bring flare-ups under control. No prescription is required for these creams.

Salicylic acid

Helps the skin to shed dead cells and plaques, enabling other treatments to work more effectively on inflamed areas of skin.

Cortisone

This steroid medication stops the inflammation processes in localized areas of skin. Depending on the severity and area of skin affected, they are prescribed at different strengths and must be applied regularly.

Dithranol

Applied directly to affected areas of skin during flare-ups, dithranol stabilizes the skin’s metabolism.

Vitamin D analogues

May slow skin cell growth, which makes flare-ups less severe.

Retinoids (vitamin A)

Accelerate the shedding of flaky skin.

Topical therapies can bring relief and can help to soothe troublesome plaques. Whether they are used alone or alongside other treatments, good skin care can help to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.

For more information on available therapies, have a look at the Psoriasis & Treatments Explained brochure.

_{This site is intended for Canadian residents only. The content on this site is not meant to replace the guidance of a healthcare professional.}