Psoriasis treatment Topicals Topical treatments—medications applied to the skin—are usually the first line of defense in treating psoriasis. Researchers believe psoriasis occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to grow too rapidly. Topicals slow down or normalize that excessive cell reproduction and reduce inflammation (redness) associated with psoriasis.

There are many effective topical treatments. While many can be purchased over the counter (OTC), others are available by prescription only. Over-the-counter topicals Salicylic acid Also known as "sal acid," salicylic acid helps remove scales and is often combined with topical steroids, anthralin or tar to enhance effectiveness. Available in both OTC and prescription forms. Tar Coal tar is available in topical, shampoo and bath solution forms. Tar can help slow the rapid proliferation of skin cells and help reduce inflammation, itching and scaling. It can also be used in combination with phototherapy. Other OTC topicals Information about bath solutions, moisturizers and nonprescription medications that can be used to moisturize, soothe, remove scale or relieve itching. Prescription topicals Anthralin This prescription topical can be very effective in treating plaque psoriasis. It does not work as quickly or as thoroughly as superpotent topical steroids, but unlike steroids, it has no known long-term side effects. Dovonex A form of synthetic vitamin D3 that slows down the rate of skin cell growth, flattens psoriasis lesions and removes scale. Dovonex also can be used on the scalp and for nail psoriasis. Taclonex This prescription ointment contains calcipotriene (the active ingredient in Dovonex) and the potent steroid betamethasone dipropionate. The calcipotriene slows down the rate of skin cell growth, flattens psoriasis lesions and removes scale, while the steroid helps reduce inflammation and itch. Tazorac Available as a presciption gel or cream (also known by its generic name tazarotene), Tazorac is a vitamin A derivative and is also known as a topical retinoid. It can be used on the face, scalp and nails. Topical steroids Corticosteroids, ordinarily called "steroids" by doctors and patients, are routinely used to treat psoriasis. Topical steroid medications can be very effective in controlling mild to moderate psoriasis lesions. They are easy to use and work relatively quickly. Most are available by prescription.