- Psoriasis can be difficult to treat. Not every patient will respond favorably to the same treatment. Many people opt to treat their psoriasis with conventional treatments such as steroid creams. Others prefer more natural treatments that don't have side effects such as acupuncture.
- Unprotected exposure to the sun or use of tanning beds are both known to help psoriasis. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can stop the rapid cell turnover that occurs with psoriasis. However, this treatment can increase the risk of skin cancer.
- The likelihood of developing psoriasis or skin cancer is increased by having a depleted immune system, so in that sense they are similar. But the flaky buildup of skin cells present in psoriasis is very different from the damaged skin cells that occur with skin cancer.
- Some skin cancer treatments deplete the immune system and can trigger psoriasis in individuals who have never had it before.
- If you suspect you have either psoriasis or skin cancer, consult your physician. If you decide to use unprotected sun exposure to treat your psoriasis, monitor your time outdoors. Consult your doctor before using a tanning bed to treat psoriasis.