of the disease via both the involvement of a genetic predisposition associated with psychophysical stress.
There are also factors that can aggravate the symptoms or favor the reappearance of the manifestations, such as:
- Trauma and injuries;
- Infections;
- Smoking and alcohol abuse;
- Taking certain types of medications.
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Emollient and Moisturizing Products
Moisturizers and emollients - such as glycerin, squalene or almond oil - are used to keep the skin hydrated and soft, relieving symptoms such as itching, tightness and also reducing flaking.
Keratolytic agents
Keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid can be used to eliminate the scales that typically cover psoriatic plaques, and are especially, but not limited to, useful during exacerbations.
Vitamin D and its analogues
Active ingredients such as calcipotriol, clacitriol and tacalcitol belong to this group of drugs. They can be used to treat mild to moderately severe psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis.
Vitamin D analogues are widely used in the topical treatment of psoriasis as they are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of keratinocytes (excessively fast in this pathology) while stimulating their differentiation. In addition to this, these active ingredients have also been shown to be able to improve the specific parameters of the inflammatory process.
Corticosteroids
Topical preparations (creams and ointments) based on corticosteroids can also be used in the treatment of psoriasis. In fact, they are active ingredients capable of exerting a powerful anti-inflammatory activity. However, their use should only be done for short periods of time, only if really necessary and, above all, only if prescribed by the doctor.
Vitamin A derivatives
Tazarotene belongs to this group of medicines. It is a derivative of vitamin A available in the form of aqueous gel that can be used in the treatment of psoriasis - with plaques of mild or moderate severity - which affects up to 10% of the body surface.
Tar
The use of products based on vegetable or mineral tar can be useful, for example, in case of scalp psoriasis. In fact, there are specific shampoos based on this product. In any case, it is recommended to use it only when it is the doctor himself who prescribes it.
