OTC Psoriasis Treatments - What To Look For
There are many over-the-counter treatments for psoriasis. In fact, the search for the right one for you could be quite daunting. There are creams, gels, lotions, shampoos and oils for the treatment of psoriasis. With so many options how do you decide which one is the best? With some basic knowledge about psoriasis products you can quickly scale down the number of products to just a couple that could be the treatment for psoriasis that is right for you.
The Treatment For Psoriasis that is Right For You May Be Different For Others.
In your quest to find the treatment for psoriasis that is right for you it is important to understand that what works for one person may not work for another. This is because all of our bodies are different. No one really knows why two people react differently to the same product. It may be nutrition, it could be genetics and it could simply be the psoriasis itself. In addition, you may find the perfect treatment for psoriasis that works well for your body only to discover that months later the same product no longer works. It is believed this happens when our body plateaus to the product and it builds up a tolerance to its effectiveness. For some people this may happen in months and for others it may take years before they have to change their treatment for psoriasis. This is actually quite common when it comes to the body and many types of drugs. For example, it is widely understood that if an antibiotic is used to often the body will build up a tolerance and it will no longer be effective. The same thing is true with a treatment for psoriasis.
You May Need More Than One Product for Your Treatment For Psoriasis
For psoriasis that occurs on the body it is best to start with an over-the-counter cream product that contains salicylic acid. The active ingredient in these products can range from 1.8% up to 3%. Obviously the higher the percentage the more expensive and the more intense the treatment will be for your body. If you have a significant amount of scaling you will need a higher percentage for your treatment for psoriasis. If the psoriasis covers a large portion of your body you may want to also consider purchasing a body wash that is formulated for the treatment of psoriasis. A body wash together with a cream will provide the best and most complete solution for your treatment of body psoriasis.
How Do You Treat Psoriasis?
If you also have scalp psoriasis, than you may need to consider a shampoo as part of your treatment for psoriasis. Shampoos can also contain salicylic acid but they may also contain coal tar. Both are recognized by the FDA for the treatment for psoriasis. A quality psoriasis shampoo will also have ingredients that will benefit your hair such as conditioning agents. A psoriasis shampoo is normally formulated to be shampooed in and left on for one to three minutes and then shampooed out. If you don’t follow these instructions you will be wasting the shampoo. If it is not left on your scalp long enough the treatment for psoriasis will not work. In addition, if you have a significant amount of scaly build up on your head you may want to consider adding a scalp oil to your treatment for psoriasis. A scalp oil is often made from a blend of natural oils. These oils will be formulated to soften and loosen the scales so they can easily be removed when you shampoo. Most scalp oils are designed to be applied in the evening and left in overnight. The best treatment for psoriasis on your scalp will include a cream, shampoo and scalp oil.
Does More Expensive Mean a Better Treatment For Psoriasis?
Quite simply the answer is no. However, the products with high quality ingredients often do cost more. In addition it is important to read the labeling and check out the quantity of the product. You may see one cream that is $5.99 and another that is $19.99. However, the $5.99 cream may only be one ounce and the $19.99 cream could be four ounces which in the end is cheaper.
In most over-the-counter products the active ingredients are the same. It is the inactive ingredients that can make all the difference in a treatment for psoriasis. The inactive ingredients should include substances that will help moisturize the skin and relieve redness and itching. These ingredients should include vitamins, minerals and proteins that are often found in herbal extracts or even food based ingredients such as egg. Be sure to read your packaging carefully. Select a product that fits your needs and remember that a system or multiple products may be the most effective solution in your treatment for psoriasis.
