Finding a treatment
that’s right
for you
A dermatologist will consider a number of different factors when recommending a treatment, including:
1
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The type of psoriasis you have
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Where it is on your body
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How severe your symptoms are
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How your psoriasis affects your day-to-day life
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Your age and previous medical history
By talking to a dermatologist about these factors and your goals for treatment, you can work together to find the best option for you.
the options
available
Understanding of psoriasis is evolving all the time, and as our understanding of psoriasis improves, it drives advances in dermatology and development of new treatments.
There are lots of different treatments available for psoriasis at the moment, which can be divided into three general categories
topical treatments, phototherapy,
and systemic therapies
(oral systemics and biologics).
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01
1-3
topical treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin, and include creams, lotions and ointments.
There are a number of different formulations available, which should always be used as directed by your dermatologist.
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Emolients
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Topical steroids
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Tar preparations
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Dithranol
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Vitamin D analogues
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Vitamin A analogues
02
1-3
Phototherapy
Phototherapy uses exposure to different types of ultraviolet (UV) light to treat the skin.
​
It is applied to the skin, and is usually available only in specialist centers.
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UVA
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UVA combined with psoralens
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Narrowband UV
03
Systemic therapies
1-5
Oral Systemics
1-4
Biologics
1-4
Unlike topical or phototherapy, systemic therapies are not applied to the skin. There are a number of systemic therapies available.
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Oral systemics are ingested and are less targeted than biologics.
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Currently available biologics work by targeting substances that are found in increased levels in people with psoriasis.
Because biologics are usually proteins, they cannot be taken orally and are typically given as subcutaneous injections (injections into the fat layers underneath the skin) or intravenous infusions.
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Acitretin
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Apremilast
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Cyclosporin
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Fumaric acid esters
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Methotrexate*
*Can also be given as an injection
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Adalımumab
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Guselkumab
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Golimumab
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Infliximab
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Ixekızumab
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Secukınumab
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Tildrakizumab
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Ustekinumab
The information provided on this web page is intended for general information purposes only. Information concerning any product or disease is not intended to provide, or substitute, medical advice. This web page is in no way intended to offer medical diagnosis or patient-specific treatment advice. If you have a medical condition, you should promptly see a medical doctor or healthcare provider.
This is a non-promotional material and is supported by Novartis. The content is intended for medical educational purposes only. Novartis does not engage in the promotion of unregistered products or unapproved indication. Please consult local Prescribing Information for registration/product license details.
References:
1) Augustin M et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2012; 26 Suppl 4: 1-16.
2) Armstrong AW et al. J Cutan Med Surg 2015: pii: 1203475415623508.
3) Kupetsky EA, Keller M. J Am Board Fam Med 2013; 26(6): 787-801.
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4) Nast A et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015 doi: 10.1111/jdv.13354
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5) International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). Good Care for Psoriatic Arthritis. Available at: https://ifpa-pso.com/projects/psoriatic-arthritis-awareness (accessed February 2025).
