Psoriasis therapy: a current perspective.

Psoriasis is a common papulosquamous skin disease which frequently presents a therapeutic challenge to physicians. Topical therapy with steroids, coal tars and anthralin are effective when used properly for many patients. More severely affected patients may require phototherapy using coal tars and anthralin plus ultraviolet radiation. Systemic methotrexate administration is indicated for some patients with severe skin and arthropathic psoriasis. Treatment using psoralen and long-wavelength ultraviolet phototherapy has recently been approved and is effective in many patients, but long-term safety remains a question. Synthetic retinoids are experimental drugs currently being evaluated for severe forms of psoriasis.