How Can I Stop My Psoriasis From Spreading?

Q: How can I stop my psoriasis from spreading?

A: Avoiding trauma to the skin — for example, scratching — can prevent the spread of psoriasis. But staying active on your current treatment regimen is probably your best bet for controlling psoriasis.

We use a number of topical treatments to treat psoriasis, including topical steroids and vitamin D creams. We also use light therapy.

But when psoriasis is extensive enough, we may opt for systemic medications like methotrexate or cyclosporine.

More recently, we’ve used medications called biologics (which are synthetic but human-derived products) to treat psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis. They are either injected into the skin, through the veins, or taken orally and alter the inflammatory reaction that causes psoriasis.

Dermatologist Sarah Young, MD