Plastering your skin with creams, lotions, and sprays helps tackle psoriasis initially. But as this stubborn skin villain advances, your over-the-counter ammunition may not be enough. You may need an array of systemic treatments at your aid to mellow down the inflammation that fuels psoriasis. The silver lining? It's not all doom and gloom since there's a variety of options, says Mark Lebwohl, MD, former chairman of the Psoriasis Task Force of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The primo treatments against psoriasis include anthralin, corticosteroids, coal tar, and salicylic acid. Zinc, aloe, or capsaicin-infused skin-care weaponry can help lighten the psoriasis-related itch and dryness. However, they have a half-life. As your symptoms evolve, their potency may whittle.

Manifested as dry, raised, and scaly skin patches, psoriasis hangs no nameplate. If your current topicals fail to suppress these plaques, it's about time you swat them away with systemic treatments. Dr. Lebwohl prescribes them to patients with psoriasis covering more than 5 to 10 percent of their body.

Traditional topicals were gunky salves with low efficacy. The new generation is less messy and more effective, appearing as foams and lotions. If topicals fail to manage psoriasis, your doctor will move you to systemic therapies. These are administered orally or via injections to control the inflammation that incites psoriasis.

Systemic treatments, like conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and Biologics, curtail inflammation by suppressing the immune system. Steroids and UltraViolet (UV) therapy provide other means to silence your psoriasis symptoms. However, they come with a string of side effects and are not suitable for long-term use.

While refining your treatment plan, it's crucial to talk about any joint pain, stiffness or any other changes in your symptoms. Every patient is unique, and so is their best-suited treatment. So, the next time your skin makes queer gestures, don't hesitate to reconsider your available treatment options and explore more potent courses, always in consultation with your doctor.