Because penile psoriasis treatment affects an area of the body where the skin is more sensitive and thinner than other areas, mild forms of medication are used instead of standard psoriasis treatment plans.
One exclusive issue contributing to penile psoriasis flare-ups is the Koebner phenomenon, or isomorphic response of the skin, due to the consistent occurrence of a low-intensity injury to a specific area of the skin. With regards to penile psoriasis, just having sex can trigger a new outbreak of psoriasis on the penis. Fortunately, treatments specifically targeted for penile psoriasis are generally effective and long lasting.
Consequently, self-diagnosis of penile psoriasis could be insufficient and even cause utilizing the incorrect penile psoriasis therapy. If skin inflammation takes place in the genital location, skin doctors recommend looking for specialist assistance.
Psoriasis showing up on genital areas is normally inverted psoriasis, or psoriasis influencing body system locations where skin folds up or securely suitable garments trigger massaging versus the skin. The underarms, below busts, behind the knees and also in between big skin rolls on overweight individuals are the typical locations where you locate inverted psoriasis.
Furthermore, this type of psoriasis is much less scaly compared to various other psoriasis kinds, looking like various other skin irritabilities such as dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and also folliculitis.
For penile psoriasis, using a one percent hydrocortisone cream available over the counter is often effective at eliminating the psoriasis. When OTC creams fail, doctors frequently prescribe prescription hydrocortisone cream called Protopic, which is also effective for facial psoriasis.
Mild yet strong enough to reduce the appearance of penile psoriasis, Protopic has one unusual side effect that only bothers patients who use it for facial psoriasis. Doctors are not sure why but people using Protopic experience reddening of psoriasis after drinking alcohol even when the lesions have disappeared. However, this side effect should not bother men using the cream as a penile psoriasis treatment.
Exposing penile psoriasis to sunlight or similar illumination is another effective treatment option, especially when used in combination with moisturizers or mild hydrocortisone creams. When UV rays penetrate affected areas, it slows the rapid proliferation of skin cells, resulting in less dead skin cells and psoriasis plaques.
Avoiding sunburn is one of the problems with phototherapy, along with the fact that some individuals are prone to developing skin cancers when overexposed to UV rays. When used correctly, UV therapy is one of the most effective treatment plans for penile psoriasis.
Another penile psoriasis treatment is Vytone, a prescription ointment containing hydrocortisone as well as an antibiotic compound called iodoquinol. This extra ingredient fights against bacterial and fungus growth, which makes it useful in combating other skin infections such as jock itch, ringworm or athlete's foot. Further, the hydrocortisone contained in Vytone reduces itching, swelling and redness of penile psoriasis.
Dovonex is a topical cream containing calcipotriene, a synthetic substance extracted from vitamin D. Effective on penile psoriasis, you should not apply Dovonex on psoriasis areas close to mucous membranes or openly irritated skin.
Some men experience relief from penile psoriasis within a week or two of applying Dovonex but should not stop using the cream even is psoriasis lesions disappear. Dovonex causes little to no side effects other than some initial dryness or burning of the affected area.
Standard penile psoriasis treatment methods effectively treat the majority of genital psoriasis cases, but some severe psoriasis flare-ups require stronger medications. One such medication, Humira, unfortunately causes side effects such as infections, allergic reactions, liver problems and fever. However, patients using Humira report psoriasis reduction rates of up to 80 percent, which is considered successful in cases of recurring and debilitating psoriasis outbreaks.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases