Psoriasis medication – The complete overview

Medicines for psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the autoimmune diseases. This means that the immune system fights its own body. Psoriasis is not curable, but in most cases it can be treated well with psoriasis medication.  

How do psoriasis drugs help?

To treat psoriasis, active ingredients can be applied locally to the affected skin areas (local therapy) or psoriasis medication can be administered orally or as an infusion (systemic therapy). There is now a very wide range of psoriasis medication available.  

Psoriasis drugs work in different ways:

• They care for the skin and provide it with moisture, 
• Reduce itching,
• Help to reduce the inflammation of the skin,
• Inhibit the overactive immune system, 
• Support the skin in healing. 

For mild forms of psoriasis, external care products such as ointments often help. If a more severe form of psoriasis is present, it is often helpful to combine medicines and active ingredients.  

What psoriasis medicines are available and how do they work?

There is now a very wide range of psoriasis medicines available. Each psoriasis is individual and therefore it is worth trying out different psoriasis medications and active ingredients. 

• Ointments and creams
• Lotion, gels and solutions
• Shampoos
• Bath additives
• Tablets and infusions

Ointments and creams

Ointments contain no water and are therefore very fatty. They are therefore often used for particularly flaky skin. 

In contrast to ointments, creams are water-based and therefore easier to apply. They are well suited for lighter forms of psoriasis. 

Typical components of creams and ointments are salicylic acid and urea. Both active agents dissolve keratinized skin scales. This is necessary to prepare the skin for the absorption of active compounds. Salicylic acid has a very intensive effect and therefore is mostly used only for a short period of time. Urea however has a softer effect. As it also reduces inflammation and itching at the same time, creams and ointments with urea can also be used for permanent skin care. 

Lotion, gels and solutions

In contrast to creams and ointments, lotions, gels and solutions contain hardly any fat, but a high proportion of water. They therefore have a cooling and drying effect and can stop itching. This is why lotions are particularly suitable for accompanying psoriasis therapy. 

For the hairy areas of the skin such as the scalp and also psoriasis of the nails, solutions are mainly used. 

Shampoos

Psoriasis occurs particularly frequently on the scalp. Because of the dense hair, it is often difficult to apply creams and ointments specifically to the scalp. Besides solutions, shampoos are therefore mainly used to treat psoriasis. Shampoos against psoriasis are particularly mild, free the scalp of old skin cells and reduce the formation of new dandruff. 

Bath additives

Baths can significantly contribute to the relief of psoriasis. Baths in brine have a particularly calming effect on the skin. Sea salt dissolves the excess skin scales and moisture is bound in the skin. 

Fortunately, those affected do not have to go to the Dead Sea for this but can resort to Dead Sea bath salts. 

It is important, however, to take extensive care of the skin after the bath. Oils especially give back moisture to the skin. Oil baths can also be used for particularly dry skin. 

Tablets and infusions

In severe forms of psoriasis, psoriasis medication is often no longer sufficient to be applied to the skin. In this case, tablets and infusions must be used (systemic therapy). In systemic therapy, drugs are used that act on the immune system, hormones and enzymes responsible for the inflammatory processes of psoriasis. The overactive immune system is therefore calmed and inflammation is inhibited. 

The latest form of therapy is treatment with biologics. This involves the use of active ingredients that are extracted from cell cultures. These compounds act on the immune regulation precisely and are therefore the most effective form of psoriasis medication. 

Which active ingredients are contained in psoriasis medication?

Which active ingredient or combination of active ingredients is contained in a cream, lotion or psoriasis medication depends on the respective preparation. Psoriasis medicines can be divided into medicines for external treatment (local therapy) and internal treatment (systemic therapy).  

External treatment (local therapy)

In the case of psoriasis, drugs for external treatment, i.e. creams, ointments, lotions etc., it is mainly these active ingredients that are used: 

• Cortisone: Cortisone has an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents the rapid proliferation of skin cells. Cortisone can be particularly helpful in acute inflammations. Cortisone is highly effective and can cause side effects (for example thinning of the skin). The dose must therefore be adjusted to the affected area of the body and the respective complaints.
• Vitamin D: For some time now, vitamin D has been used successfully for the treatment of psoriasis. Vitamin D has an anti-inflammatory effect and generally strengthens the immune system. Although there may be side effects, vitamin D is usually well tolerated and therefore successfully used as a psoriasis medication.
• Dithranol: Dithranol normalizes the increased proliferation of skin cells and can therefore lead to a healing of the inflammation. For a long time dithranol was an important component of psoriasis medication. However, as dithranol is highly irritating to the skin, this active ingredient is now used almost exclusively for inpatient treatment of psoriasis.
• Coal tar: Coal tar has an anti-inflammatory effect and can thus significantly alleviate psoriasis. However, as coal tar makes the skin very sensitive to light and also has a strong smell, this psoriasis medication is now only used in isolated cases.
• Calcineurin inhibitors: Calcineurin inhibitors counteract inflammation and support the immune system. This psoriasis medication is particularly useful for the treatment of psoriasis in sensitive areas of the body such as the face, armpits or groin.
• Vitamin A: Vitamin A (retinol) in psoriasis medication helps to relieve the increased psoriasis and inflammation of the skin. This active ingredient is successfully used in the treatment of psoriasis. Vitamin A can be applied in the form of ointments, creams etc. In severe cases of psoriasis, vitamin A can also be administered in tablet form.

Internal treatment (systemic therapy)

In more severe cases of psoriasis, psoriasis medication alone is usually not sufficient for external treatment. In this case, active substances in the form of tablets and infusions are used. 

The most important active ingredients of these psoriasis drugs are 

• Fumarates: The active ingredient fumaric acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and can significantly improve psoriasis. Fumarates are administered in tablet form and can also be taken over a longer period of time.
• Methotrexate: Methotrexate suppresses the immune system and thus relieves skin inflammation. In most cases, this active ingredient is well tolerated and leads to a significant improvement in symptoms. Although side effects (such as temporary hair loss) may occur, this active ingredient is usually well tolerated.
• Ciclosporin: Ciclosporin suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation in the body. Psoriasis drugs containing Ciclosporin are highly effective, but are only used for a short time due to possible side effects (e.g. impairment of the kidneys).
• Retinoids:  Retinoids are chemically related to vitamin A. They help toreduce the flaking of the affected skin. Although retinoids are excellent for psoriasis, these psoriasis medications must be used with caution. Women who are pregnant or want to have children should not take these drugs.
• Biologics: Biologics are a new form of treatment for psoriasis. They use active ingredients that are obtained from cell cultures and specifically intervene in the immune regulation. They are very effective drugs in the treatment of psoriasis. Treatment with biologicals often leads to a drastic improvement of symptoms.

Do over-the-counter psoriasis drugs help?

There are many medications that can be purchased without a prescription that are good for psoriasis. For example, ointments protect the skin with their high fat content, bath salts can prepare the skin optimally for care and creams generally care for the skin.

It is therefore worth trying out various over-the-counter psoriasis medicines?

You can find a detailed overview of over-the-counter creams in our article “10 over-the-counter creams and ointments against psoriasis”. 

Can psoriasis be treated without psoriasis medication?

Depending on the severity of the psoriasis, it may well be possible to treat psoriasis without medication. However, even in more severe forms of psoriasis, there are a number of forms of therapy that can support the effect of psoriasis medication. 

Alternatives to psoriasis medication include

Home remedies and natural remedies

These include homemade natural tonics, Manuka Honey, anti-inflammatory turmeric, evening primrose oil or shea butter.  

Light therapy

This form of therapy uses short-wave UV rays, which can reduce inflammatory processes and slow down the excessive growth of skin cells.  

Nutrition

Nutrition can also have a significant effect on psoriasis. Diets that can have a positive effect on psoriasis include sugar-free diets, the paleo diet, fermented foods and the autoimmune protocol (AIP).  

Nutrients

Various nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D can have anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen the immune system. Nutrients are therefore mechanisms that can help with psoriasis.   

Lifestyle

A change in lifestyle can also have a positive effect on psoriasis. Measures such as stress reduction and autogenic training can help to significantly improve the symptoms of psoriasis even without psoriasis medication. 

Psoriasis medication: a wide range

So you see, there’s a wide range of psoriasis medications. From nourishing creams and ointments with potent ingredients, to high-dose vitamins, to sophisticated drugs for systemic therapy, there are drugs available on the market for almost every form of psoriasis.

In addition, home remedies, nutrition or a change in lifestyle can significantly contribute to the improvement of psoriasis. As always, it is important to find the mix that best suits one’s symptoms and life situation. 

The most frequently asked questions

Which psoriasis medicines help with psoriasis?

To treat psoriasis, active ingredients can be applied locally to the affected skin areas (local therapy) or psoriasis drugs can be administered orally or as an infusion (systemic therapy). Active ingredients for external application include cortisone, vitamin D and calcineurin inhibitors. In tablet form, fumarates, methotrexate and, more recently, biologicals are mainly used. 

Do over-the-counter psoriasis medicines help?

Over-the-counter psoriasis medicines and home remedies can also help with psoriasis. There is a wide range of creams, ointments and bath salts that can be bought without a prescription. They work mainly by removing psoriasis, preparing the skin for care and protecting the skin. 

Can psoriasis be treated without psoriasis medication?

Psoriasis is a very individual disease. In addition to psoriasis medication, household remedies such as oil baths, natural remedies such as facial tonics with chamomile or a change in lifestyle can also have a positive effect on psoriasis. A change in diet and stress reduction are an especially effective means to reduce psoriasis. 

What helps you best? We look forward to hearing about your experiences!

Which psoriasis medicines help with psoriasis?

To treat psoriasis, active ingredients can be applied locally to the affected skin areas (local therapy) or psoriasis drugs can be administered orally or as an infusion (systemic therapy). Active ingredients for external application include cortisone, vitamin D and calcineurin inhibitors. In tablet form, fumarates, methotrexate and, more recently, biologicals are mainly used.

Do over-the-counter psoriasis medicines help?

Over-the-counter psoriasis medicines and home remedies can also help with psoriasis. There is a wide range of creams, ointments and bath salts that can be bought without a prescription. They work mainly by removing psoriasis, preparing the skin for care and protecting the skin.

Can psoriasis be treated without psoriasis medication?

Psoriasis is a very individual disease. In addition to psoriasis medication, household remedies such as oil baths, natural remedies such as facial tonics with chamomile or a change in lifestyle can also have a positive effect on psoriasis. A change in diet and stress reduction are an especially effective means to reduce psoriasis.