For patients with severe psoriasis, a new class of intravenous and injectable biological medicines known as “biologics” has brought about a near revolution in treatment.
But doctors at the University of Michigan Health System note that patients and their doctors should also consider long-established treatment alternatives. These can be far cheaper and avoid some of the risk factors associated with the immune system-suppressing biologics, such as increased risk of serious infection and lymphoma.
One of the oldest treatments for psoriasis is known as Goeckerman therapy. The process involves applying ointment made from coal tar to a patient’s skin and exposing the patient to ultraviolet radiation with light therapy, which work together to clear the patients’ skin …