Treatment of psoriasis is usually a series of steps, called the 1-2-3 approach, which may be added to each other, and entail:

Step 1—Topical: Medication applied directly to the surface of the skin

Step 2—Phototherapy: Phototherapy (light treatment) using ultraviolet light or sunlight alone or in combination with medication if medication alone does not improve symptoms

Step 3—Systemic: Medications taken internally (usually oral medication) to treat psoriasis systemically if topical medications and/or phototherapy do not improve symptoms

Your treatment will be based on several factors, including:

• The severity of the disease
• The extent and location of the areas involved
• Your responsiveness to each treatment
• What type of psoriasis you have
• Your preference
• Possible concomitant presence of psoriatic arthritis

Often, the body will become resistant to certain types of treatment, and they will lose their effectiveness. When this happens, new treatment methods may be prescribed, and future treatments may be added as needed.

Treatment involves the following:

• Medications
• Other treatments
• Alternative and complementary therapies

Surgical procedures are not a treatment option for psoriasis.